To protect the rights and interests of children, the Department of Consumer Protection of the Executive Yuan (hereinafter referred to as the DCP) purchased 25 samples of commercially available kids toothbrushes (15 samples from mortar-and-brick stores and ten samples purchased online) in May 2024, for testing and labeling inspection in accordance with National Standards of the Republic of China (CNS) 15503 General Safety Requirements for Children's Products. No plasticizer and heavy metals were found in any of them. With regard to the results of inspections on labeling, one sample do not meet requirements and the competent authority had been requested to handle the matter pursuant to the laws.
Kids toothbrushes are a product in which children will use daily. In view that phthalate ester (PAEs) plasticizer is a type of environmental hormone, and will damage the balance and functions of the endocrine system, long-term exposure may lead to feminization in boys or sexual prematurity in girls. Meanwhile, heavy metals such as lead may cause acute lead poisoning. Accumulation in certain organs in the body may lead to chronic poisoning, which is detrimental to health. As such, to protect the wellbeing and safety of children, the DCP performed quality testing (including testing for plasticizers and dissolution test for heavy metal) and labeling inspection on kids toothbrushes. The relevant results are as follows:
I.Quality testing: All products met requirements. No plasticizers and heavy metals were found.
II.Labeling inspection: One item failed to meet requirements.
(I)Labeling non-compliance pursuant to the Commodity Labeling Act: The label of an imported toothbrush indicated a domestic enterprise as the manufacturer. Also, the English name of the foreign manufacturer or commissioned manufacturer was not found. This is the only toothbrush noted for non-compliance.
(II)Labeling non-compliance pursuant to the CNS: Four products failed to indicate the suitable age on their labels. Kids toothbrushes are not considered a product subject to mandatory inspection. Complying to CNS 15503 is voluntary, not compulsory. Therefore, the non-compliance cases are not deemed violations.
For the product which was not in line with the Commodity Labeling Act, the DCP had requested the competent authority, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspections (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to handle the matter pursuant to the laws. For the products not in line with the labeling prescribed in the CNS, the DCP had requested the BSMI to encourage enterprises to comply with requirements set in the CNS. For non-compliance found in the inspection on labeling, the BSMI had made an official request to the overseeing local government to require the enterprise in question to make improvements within a duration imposed. For the products not in line with the labeling prescribed in the CNS, upon guidance by the BSMI, the enterprises are willing to indicate the suitable ages for their products.
With regard to the deficiencies found in quality testing, following resolutions passed in the 89th DCP meeting, apart from requesting the MOEA to handle the product not in line with the Commodity Labeling Act, the DCP should also strengthen the promotion on accurately performing product labeling of kids toothbrushes imported or sold on e-commerce platforms. Consumers are also advised to pay attention to the labels when making purchases to protect their own rights and interests.
The DCP would like to remind consumers that kids toothbrushes must be replaced regularly to maintain the oral hygiene of children. When selecting kids toothbrushes, consumers should pay attention to the following matters:
I.Check the suitable age of use and select the age-appropriate toothbrushes.
II.Do not purchase kids toothbrushes from an illegitimate source or with ambiguous labeling. Before purchasing, it is advisable to check whether the labeling of the name, address, place of origin of the manufacturer or importer, and material used, etc. is complete.
III.Pay attention to the manufacturing date, expiry date, etc., of kids toothbrushes. Purchase those within the expiry date.
The more attention you pay, the more peace of mind you get. Pay more attention when purchasing kids toothbrushes and you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your children's oral health is well protected.