Legal notice issued demanding regulations on kids toys

A Supreme Court lawyer has issued a legal notice to introduce regulations for the production, import and marketing of children's toys made of plastic.

The notice, issued on Wednesday (September 11, 2019), said further legal action will be taken if no steps are taken within the next seven days.

Advocate Shamima Akter, on behalf of JR Khan Robin, sent the notice to 11 people including the secretaries of health, industry, and law ministries. 

JR Khan Robin told the media that he would file a writ petition at the High Court demanding regulations over the kids' toys if no action is taken within seven days.

The notice said that scientists at Plymouth University in the UK found toxic chemicals in plastic toys. The research was published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 

Scientists at the University of Plymouth analysed 200 used toys found in homes, nurseries and charity shops in North-West England.

The researchers found that those toys contain high levels of toxic substances such as barium, bromine, lead, chromium and selenium.

The toys were so small that the children could swallow them, so the toxic chemicals could enter their body.

The notice said environmental scientist Andrew Turner identified those chemicals. 

Dr Turner said, "Customers should be more concerned about the risks of small, bright plastic toys which can be put in the mouth. The toxic chemicals used in the toys could build up in children's bodies."

Referring to another research, the notice said that the chemicals used in plastic toys pose a huge threat to children's health. Those chemicals also negatively affect reproductive health.

The notice also said that many developed countries have formulated regulations for manufacturing, importing and marketing the toys.