Livorno Port, seizure of toys for heavy metals

The Livorno Customs Office confiscated 4,000 packages of a widely distributed modelling toy that was imported with irregular documentation and was subsequently found to violate European and national safety standards. A meticulous review of the documentary evidence revealed that the technical file presented for customs clearance contained several significant shortcomings. A system of centrally pre-set risk parameters enabled officials to conduct a comprehensive examination, which was followed by the sampling of the product for analysis at the customs chemical laboratory. Test results showed elevated levels of heavy metals, exceeding the regulatory limits established by European legislation to safeguard children from adverse exposure. The European Directive 2009/48/EC, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 54/2011, sets strict limits for chemicals in play products to protect children’s health. The legal representative of the importing company was accused of criminal liability by customs officials, who filed a criminal complaint with the Livorno Public Prosecutor’s Office. The charge against the representative was attempting to place dangerous toys on the market.