Unsafe, poor-quality products are routinely sold across the country.
Despite rising public concern and the passage of the Consumer Rights Protection Act in 2009, the government is failing to ensure cheap and accessible redress mechanisms for ensuring consumer rights.
The low priority given to consumer issues is one factor behind the rampant violations of food safety laws. While public and media attention has ensured that many retailers and consumers alike are seeking to provide assurance that food is sold safe from poisonous levels of chemicals, the authorities need to take much firmer action on all aspects of consumer protection.
Particular attention needs to be paid to product safety standards.
A new study by the Environment and Social Development Organisation NGO has found that 97% of toys surveyed contained high concentrations of lead, bromine , cadmium, and chromium.
Exposure to high levels of heavy metals is especially detrimental to young people and has been cited as increasing the risk of children developing learning disabilities and hormonal problems.
New laws are needed to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals through toys. At present, the Bangladesh Standards Testing Institute does not regularly examine toys in their laboratories, as there is no law or regulation requiring such monitoring.
The government must bring in clear regulations so that all toys sold in the country are certified as containing no harmful levels of chemicals.
Inspection to ensure safe levels is required whenever Bangladeshi toy producers export to overseas markets such as the EU. There is no reason why the government cannot insist on similarly safe standards when toys are imported or sold within the country.