Local authorities take action on tainted imported goods
Sixteen batches of imported goods from such international brands as Maserati, Dunlop, Zara and Emporio Armani were either returned or destroyed at Shanghai port in October, local border control authorities announced on Monday.
A Maserati 2979CC off-road vehicle imported from Italy was returned over manufacturing or assembly defects, while 970 Dunlop tires made in Japan were also turned back because they failed to procure the China Compulsory Certification, according to the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
Two batches of Zara trousers for boys, totaling 876 and imported from Bangladesh, were destroyed due to substandard color fastness, while another batch of the same product made in Egypt — totaling 200 — was also destroyed for the same reason.
Dye in clothing with poor color fastness can bleed onto the skin, which can be harmful, officials warned.
A batch of 18 Emporio Armani jeans for men imported from Romania was found to have substandard pH index, which, officials said, can cause skin allergies, particularly among children. The batch was quashed, they added.
In addition, a batch of 16 barrels of water-proof paints branded Fassa Bortolo made in Italy was destroyed over excessive free formaldehyde content.
Excessive exposure to formaldehyde can lead to headaches, dermatitis, respiratory disease and eczema, doctors say.