Hong Kong Customs alerts public on unsafe school uniform (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs today (July 16) alerted members of the public on the potential risk of harmful aromatic amines being released from a school uniform.

     Customs earlier conducted a test-buy operation on school uniforms from the local market for safety tests. The results revealed that the dark cloth embroidered trimmings on a type of school uniform contained azo dyes that might release harmful aromatic amines and violated the requirement of the related standard.

     Customs officers subsequently seized 17 pieces of the school uniform from the retailer concerned.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may submit a report via the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).