The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection is planning to implement a series of mandatory product safety tests for all imported and domestically produced children’s bicycles, testing everything from the function of the brakes, to seeing whether plasticizer chemicals are present in certain components.
The bureau said it was including children’s bicycles on its mandatory product inspection list because of the high rate of accidents involving children here and in other -countries, as a result of faulty bicycle design or manufacturing.
As early as September, all domestically produced and imported children’s bicycles will be required to pass the mandatory product inspections before they can be sold, the bureau said.
Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection Director--General Chen Jay-san (陳介山) said the items to be tested include the brakes, the handlebar, the headset, the chain, the primary wheels as well as training wheels and other parts that are essential to the safe operation of the bicycle.
The bureau has also decided to include tests for the presence of plasticizers because of increased sensitivity to the presence of plasticizers in consumer products following a massive food scare.
Children’s bicycles will be tested for the presence of plasticizers in the rubber or plastic handlebar grips, the seat and other parts to ensure the safety of children who ride the bikes, the bureau said.
Chen said children could be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals by gripping the handlebars or forgetting to wash their hands after riding a bicycle.
Plasticizers, or phthalate esters, contain environmental hormones that act as endocrine disruptors. The substances can potentially damage the liver and kidneys, cause men to develop female physical characteristics and increase the risk of breast cancer in women, the bureau said.
Research has shown that exposure to plasticizers that exceeds legal limits could cause feminization in boys and the premature development of sexual organs in girls.
In addition to testing for harmful substances that could potentially be present on the surface of children’s bicycles, the bureau will check to see that the product labeling contains information such as manufacturer name and address, appropriate warnings as well as user manuals in Chinese to ensure a high rate of conformity among children’s products.
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