SAFETY would have been improved in mainland factories two years ago if not for manufacturers intent on keeping costs low, it emerged last night.
The disclosure came three days after 82 people were killed in a fire at a toy factory in Zuiyong, Shenzhen.
Hong Kong Toys Council member Bill Blaauw said last night that Chinese authorities decided in 1991 to impose ISO 9000 quality standards - which, by lifting production standards, indirectly improve workplace safety - on all factories producing goods for export.
''By arguing against that decision, manufacturers forced authorities to introduce an extension,'' he said.
That extension runs out on December 31 and is giving local manufacturers headaches, Mr Blaauw said.
Inadequate safety measures and blocked exits have been blamed for the loss of life in the fire at the Zhili Handicrafts Factory on Friday. The semi-official China News Service said yesterday the toll had risen to 82 dead and 42 injured.
Mr Blaauw said: ''Meeting ISO 9000 standards is a costly and time consuming exercise, but if China wants it then manufacturers have to get on with it.