ISO 9000 key to toy exports

HONG Kong toy manufacturers with operations in China can save time and cut costs by applying for ISO 9000 certificates and the mainland's Quality Approval Licensing System for Export of Toys at the same time, says international business consultant Arthur Andersen.

ISO 9000 is an internationally accepted quality assurance standard, and a valid toys export licence will be required by the State Administration of Commodities Inspection in China from July 1.

China introduced export licensing for toys in 1992.

David Ng, a partner of Arthur Andersen's business advisory group, said the Chinese quality certification standards were similar to the ISO 9000 standards.

''The most apparent difference is that China's quality system entails both external product testing and system audit, while ISO 9000 focuses on the overall quality management system,'' he said.

Arthur Andersen has recently helped Hong Kong's largest toy manufacturer, Harbour Ring International, to secure ISO 9002 certification for its subsidiary, Macau International Toys.