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7 Dec 2009 14:47
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Go Go PetsΒ are safe!
Update:
London,Β Monday 7 December 2009
TheΒ CharacterΒ GroupΒ plc ("Character" or "Group"), whose trading subsidiary CharacterΒ OptionsΒ LimitedΒ isΒ theΒ UK distributor of Go Go PetsΒ (sold worldwideΒ as Zhu Zhu Pets),Β todayΒ re-confirmedΒ that, followingΒ further,Β independent testingΒ overnightΒ by SGS in Hong Kong,Β the toysΒ in this popularΒ range meetΒ and fully comply withΒ theΒ extremelyΒ stringent safety and quality standardsΒ and regulations imposed by theΒ European authoritiesΒ (EN71).
TheΒ safety confirmationΒ followsΒ a report publishedΒ last weekΒ by theΒ GoodΒ Guide,Β an independent US based consumer group,Β in whichΒ one item in the range - the hamster Mr Squiggles -Β wasΒ inaccuratelyΒ alleged to contain moreΒ than theΒ permittedΒ level of the chemical Antimony.
YesterdayΒ (6.12.09),Β the Good GuideΒ issued a further releaseΒ explaining the testing methods adopted and equipment used in their tests. It is clear from this that the testing protocols used by Good Guide were not compliant with EU or US standards and that the equipment used (an XRF gun) is not a method of testingΒ complianceΒ that is accepted by the EU or US regulatory bodies. Accordingly, the Good Guide testing process was flawed,Β the resultsΒ meaningless and the safetyΒ concernsΒ expressed on theΒ basisΒ of these results, entirelyΒ groundless.
Russ Hornsby, CEO of the manufacturer, Cepia LLC,Β has confirmed to Character Group thatΒ CepiaΒ has referred this incident to its US AttorneysΒ and is considering proceedings against the Good Guide.
Richard King, Executive ChairmanΒ ofΒ Character,Β commented:
"Safety of children has always been the Company's top priority and we take all reasonable steps to ensure that all our products,Β both those we design and develop under our own brand and those we distribute on behalf ofΒ otherΒ manufacturers,Β are safeΒ andΒ fullyΒ compliantΒ with all applicable standards."
"It is unfortunate that the media have picked up a misguided safety statement from a start-up consumer group in theΒ USΒ and have blown it up into front page newsΒ in theΒ UKΒ before taking steps to check the veracity of the statements. The disruption to the retail toy trade by the publication of unfounded claims and views at this important time of year is not fair to theΒ UKΒ Toy trade, which goes to great lengths to sell and promote only safe toys."
Jon Diver,Β Joint-MDΒ of the GroupΒ added:
"Character Options is confident that all the toys in the Go Go Pets collection are completely safe.Β All our products, whether our own brand or those we distribute,Β areΒ testedΒ byΒ independent accredited laboratories.Β In addition,Β during the manufacture and again before shipment,Β we conductΒ our own internal diligence programmeΒ through whichΒ the safetyΒ of all our products isΒ ratified."
Β Β Character is a key member of theΒ British Toy and Hobbies Association'sΒ toy safety technical managers committee, which actively participates on EU technical committees relating to safety and environmental legislation.
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Enquiries: |
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Richard King, Chairman |
Fiona Tooley |
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Jon DiverΒ , Joint MD |
Keith Gabriel |
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The Character Group plc |
Citigate Dewe Rogerson |
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Mobile:Β +44 (0)Β 7836 250150 (RK) |
Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 703523 (FMT) |
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Mobile: +44 (0)Β 7831 802219(JD) |
Tel +44 (0)Β 121 362 4035 |
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Tel: +44 (0) 208 329 3377 |
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www.thecharacter.com |
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Ticker:Β AIM: CCT |
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Richard Thompson |
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Philip Davies |
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Charles Stanley Securities |
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(Nominated Adviser) |
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7149 6000 |
Editors Notes:
SGS,Β Hong Kong
www.hk.sgs.com
SGS is a leading international inspection, verification, testing and certification company, with an international reputation for the quality and integrity of its work. SGS employs over 56,000 people and operates a network of more than 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services
www.bureauveritas.com
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products ServicesΒ is a leading international agency that advises on standards and regulations relating to Quality, Health & Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility. Bureau Veritas' network of regional and local offices provides a comprehensive range of services, including inspection, testing, auditing, certification and related technical assistance, training and outsourcing.Β
For more information about the testing Of Go Go pets and to review the test results by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services,Β go toΒ www.ZhuZhuPets.com
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