Test finds children's study desks 'problematic'

Eleven out of 20 samples of children’s study desks and chairs failed a recent quality test conducted by the Shanghai Consumer Council, the council announced on Wednesday.

The 20 samples were purchased from shopping malls, furniture outlets, stores, and online shops, covering all major brands in the market such as TotGuard, Sampo and istudy. The products were priced between 298 and 7,999 yuan (US$44 and US$1,170).

China’s national standards for children’s toys and classroom desks and chairs were referred to in the test.

Some products failed because they have sharp ridges or pointed parts that could hurt children, holes where children’s fingers could become stuck, stability problems, or a lack of warning signs for assembly, the council said.

Also, two of the sample desks lack buffering mechanisms to prevent writing boards from lowering too fast when children adjust their angle. Another two were considered too easily blemished by ink.

The council suggested that the problematic products be removed from stores or online shops, and that their manufacturers recall them.