“常识性改革”降低玩具进口成本：新西兰承认美欧玩具安全标准
新西兰政府宣布，将承认美国和欧盟的玩具安全标准，这意味着只要产品符合这两大国际标准，在新西兰也将被视为合规产品。
商务与消费者事务部长 Cameron Brewer 和监管部长 David Seymour 表示，这项改革旨在降低企业成本、简化合规流程，同时不降低儿童玩具的安全标准。
Brewer表示：“父母购买玩具时应该确信其安全性，这一点不会改变。但我们目前使用的规则停留在2002年，已经被多次更新的国际标准超越。”
他指出，这种标准不一致正在增加企业负担，尤其是进口商和零售商，他们往往需要对已经符合国际标准的产品进行重复测试，造成时间和金钱浪费，也减少市场上的产品选择。
成本与影响
Seymour表示，政府监管部门研究发现，如果与澳大利亚及国际标准对齐，将显著降低合规成本，并提高新西兰市场的吸引力。
他称，该政策预计在未来10年带来约680万纽币的净收益。
目前，企业为每款玩具进行新西兰标准认证的成本约为 3500至5000纽币。新规实施后：
- 已符合美国或欧盟标准的玩具无需额外测试
- 降低进口和零售成本
- 提高市场竞争，从而可能降低零售价
可进口品牌范围扩大
政府表示，这项改革将使更多国际品牌更容易进入新西兰市场，包括：
- Hauck
- Happy Horse
- Jellycat
- Douglas
- Little Dutch
- Yolline
安全标准不变
政府强调，儿童安全不会被削弱。未来在新西兰销售的玩具仍需符合三种国际认可标准之一，并保持同等安全水平。
Brewer表示：“这是在不牺牲安全的前提下，削减不必要成本、提升消费者选择的改革。”
实施时间
相关法规草案将公开征求意见，最终通过后，供应商将获得6个月过渡期以适应新规。
This Government will recognise the toy standards of the United States and the European Union, so toys that meet those standards will be compliant in New Zealand too, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer and Regulation Minister David Seymour say.
“When a parent buys a toy for their child, they should be able to trust that it is safe. That’s the bottom line, and it isn’t changing,” Mr Brewer says.
“But the rules we use to guarantee that safety are stuck in 2002. They’ve been overtaken by newer, modern standards several times over, and they’ve left New Zealand lagging behind Australia.
“That mismatch is hurting Kiwi importers and retailers. We’ve heard they’re retesting toys against our outdated standard even when those toys already meet a comparable international one. That’s wasted time, wasted money, and it can mean fewer products on our shelves and less choice for families,” Mr Brewer says.
“The Ministry for Regulation found that aligning with Australia would reduce compliance costs for suppliers and make New Zealand a more attractive market. So that’s what we’re doing. This change is expected to have a net benefit of $6.8 million over 10 years” Mr Seymour says.
“Following a submission to the Red Tape Tipline we will be making it easier for businesses to put their toys on New Zealand shelves.
“Under the current rules Kiwi toy suppliers are forced front the costs of getting a toy compliant with New Zealand standards. This can cost between $3,500 and $5,000, per toy. Under the new rules, if a toy is compliant in the US or the EU, it’s compliant in New Zealand, at no additional cost to Kiwi businesses.
“This change is expected to have a net benefit of up to $6.8 million over 10 years. Opening the doors to competition will also drive prices down at the checkout, making more toys more affordable to more kiwi families.
“This is good news for importers. Although most toys are compliant with the average toy standards, this change means reputable brands such as Hauck, Happy Horse, Jellycat, Douglas, Little Dutch and Yolline will become more commercially viable to import.
“This is one more problem fixed by the Tipline that Kiwis face, and the bureaucracy won’t touch. The Ministry for Regulation really is the gift that keeps on giving.”
“Parents will be pleased to know that once these changes are in place, toys sold here for young children will need to meet one of three internationally recognised safety standards, each offering the same level of protection for children,” Mr Brewer says.
“This is the Government fixing the basics by cutting needless costs for business and giving Kiwi parents better value, without ever compromising on the safety of their kids,” Mr Brewer says.
An exposure draft of the updated regulations will be released for consultation. Subject to final decisions, suppliers will then be given a six-month transition period to move to the updated requirements.
