Doha • Qatar plans to import state-of-the-art machinery to check the quality of toys already available in the local market as well as those which would be imported. The Qatar Organization for Standards and Metrology plans to import the machinery in 30 to 45 days from now.

Currently, the Organization has made it mandatory for toy importers to get certificates from the exporting countries declaring that the toys are safe for handling by children and free from lead and hazardous substances.

According to a local Arabic daily, huge consignments of imported toys are lying in the storage areas of the Doha Port as they are not being cleared in the absence of landing certificates issued by the exporting countries ascertaining their quality.

A number of importers have lodged complaints with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), urging its intervention in getting the consignments cleared from the port. The businessmen have said that they are suffering huge losses.

Once the state-of-the-art machinery is installed at the standards body, the problem would be solved as all the toys which are available in the market as well as those lying at the port could be subjected to rigorous testing.

Qatar imposed restrictions late last year on toy imports after it was reported by the media that some toys in the US were found containing lead and other hazardous substances which could cause cancer to children.