Watchdog sheds light on shady practices

Sixteen percent of sunglasses checked by the city’s consumer watchdog, including some on sale at the Pacific department store and Grand Gateway 66, failed quality tests, officials said yesterday. 

The glasses failed a variety of tests, including traffic-signal recognition, visible light transmittance, corrosion resistance and labeling, according to Shanghai Industry and Commerce Administration.

Batches of Jiga sunglasses sold at Pacific and Massimo Dutti sold at Grand Gateway failed to live up to their labels. 

A batch branded Xuntun sold at Riyue spectacle market in Jing’an failed tests with regard to traffic-signal recognition.

Proper transmission of traffic signals is an important indicator of the safety of any sunglasses. Substandard transmittance of traffic signals poses big safety risks.

A batch of Babala sold at Sanye market in the Pudong New Area failed on corrosion resistance. Sunglasses with such a flaw will fade and peel, possibly leaking heavy metals.

Businesses have been ordered to remove substandard items from their shelves.