ELEVEN years after its enactment and five years since its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were issued, Republic Act No. 10620, the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, remains inadequately enforced, according to environmental and health watchdog EcoWaste Coalition.
The group expressed concern over the widespread lack of proper labeling on toys sold in the market, which deprives consumers of critical information needed to make informed purchasing decisions.
Their periodic monitoring, particularly during the back-to-school season and the lead-up to Christmas, revealed that many toys sold by various retailers, including online sellers, fail to meet the labeling requirements mandated by the law.
For example, a recent survey by EcoWaste Coalition found that 45 toys purchased from stores near public elementary schools in Metro Manila were either inadequately labeled or not labeled at all.
The group identified 20 of these toys as choking hazards, with others posing risks such as accidental cuts, eye injuries, or chemical exposure.
The law mandates that toys must include labeling information such as age grading, cautionary statements, and manufacturer details, but EcoWaste Coalition argues that the law’s goals remain unfulfilled.
The group calls for a participatory process to address the gaps in implementation and better protect children from unsafe toys.
Republic Act 10620 requires the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry to regularly publish lists of non-compliant toys, and violators face fines and potential imprisonment. Despite these provisions, compliance remains low, and unsafe toys continue to pose risks to children. (PR)
