Children's balance bike is an emerging sport in recent years. Many parents take their children to learn to train their balance, muscles and coordination.
However, the Consumer Council earlier tested the safety levels of chemical substances and mechanical and physical properties of 15 balance bikes on the market, and found that 40% of the samples failed to meet the requirements of European toy safety standards.
In addition, the Consumer Council also found that various types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in all the samples, some of which have been identified as substances that may be carcinogenic to humans; and 3 of the samples were even detected with plasticizers, among which there were The content of plasticizer DEHP in Baghera's materials exceeds the limit of REACH legislation in Hong Kong and the EU by 18 times, which may hinder the normal development of children.
The 15 models of balance bikes tested by the Consumer Council were purchased from toy retail stores, children's products stores, sporting goods stores and bicycle stores. The 15 models of children's balance bikes tested this time were all two-wheeled models. Ranging from $299 to $1,700, the indicated applicable age ranges from 18 months to 6 years old.
FirstBIKE, Huffy and cannondale small parts may cause suffocation
The Consumer Council found that among the test samples, 6 models failed to meet the requirements of the European toy safety standards. Among them, the components on three bicycles, including FirstBIKE, Huffy and cannondale, could not bear the tension and torsion force, forming small parts such as Children accidentally swallowed because of curiosity or playfulness may block the trachea and throat, hinder breathing and cause suffocation.
In addition, FirstBIKE also has the risk of pinching fingers or toes due to the clearance between the wheel and the frame of 5 to 12 mm. Y-Volution, micro and Baghera also have related problems.
Baghera's baskets have sharp corners that could cut children if they accidentally touch it.
According to the "Toys and Children's Products Safety (Additional Safety Standards or Requirements) Regulations" in Hong Kong, the total content of BBP, DBP and DEHP plasticizers in all toys shall not exceed 0.1%; EU REACH regulations require that toys and children's products contain BBP, DBP, DEHP and DIBP should not exceed 0.1% in single content and total content.
Baghera plasticizer DEHP content exceeds the standard by 18 times
The test also tested chemical substances on 15 balance bicycles. It was found that the content of plasticizer DEHP in Baghera materials exceeded the limit of REACH legislation in Hong Kong and the EU by 18 times. Some materials of its seats and handlebars were detected with DEHP ranging from 0.16% to 1.9%. , the highest content of which is 18 times higher than the upper limit set by local laws and EU REACH regulations.
In addition, the seats of BIKEEIGHT bike 8 and parts of the seats and handlebars of TRYBIKE were also detected with trace amounts of DEHP, ranging from 0.02% to 0.07%. .
The Consumer Council has submitted the relevant test results to Customs for follow-up.
15 types of PAHs detected as harmful substances but not regulated
The Consumer Council also found that 8 PAHs restricted by the German GS Mark were detected in the handle and seat materials of 15 samples, and some materials of 4 samples were detected with higher content or total amount of PAHs, including Huffy, micro , Janodne and Baghera.
The total amount of the 15 PAHs detected by the latter three ranged from 1.20mg/kg to 4.05mg/kg, which exceeded the upper limit of the total amount (1mg/kg) set by the German GS Mark for Group 1 toy materials.
Since there is currently no upper limit on the content of PAHs in toys and children's products in Hong Kong, the Consumer Council recommends that relevant departments refer to the relevant European regulations to examine whether it is necessary to regulate the content of PAHs in toys and children's products.
The Council also calls on manufacturers to improve product design to ensure product safety, and at the same time reduce the content of plasticizers and PAHs in products or use materials free of plasticizers and PAHs to enhance the protection of children's health.
The Consumer Council also recommends that parents should not use the price as the criterion for evaluating the quality of a product when purchasing a balance bike for their children, but should compare carefully and choose the right product with a good price and quality.
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