TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Action Alliance on Basic Education (AABE, 國教盟) praised the government's swift reaction on Friday (Dec. 13) to remove the Chinese "Squishy Injection Needle Chicken Toy" (痘痘雞捏捏樂) due to its needle design, which violates safety standards. Hsieh Han-chang (謝翰璋), the deputy director of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (標準檢驗局), stated they have instructed e-commerce platforms like Ruten, CoolPong, and Shopee to comply with the directive.
Hsieh emphasized that the bureau will continue monitoring online and physical sales channels and warned that businesses failing to remove the toy will face penalties. However, Li Yu-han (李雨函), an AABE representative, stressed that "relying solely on product removal is insufficient. Dangerous toys will continue to threaten children's safety if they can be easily listed without inspection."
The AABE urged the government to enhance initial inspections and online marketplace management, ensuring untested products cannot be listed. Their proposals include mandatory inspections for imports and online purchases, requiring platforms to provide detailed reports and usage instructions before listing, and expanding education and advocacy efforts. By involving schools and the media, they aim to improve parents' and children's awareness of toy safety and reduce the risk of purchasing unverified products.
