Bangkok: The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has conducted a significant operation at Sampeng Market, resulting in the seizure of 19,665 squishies lacking TISI certification, valued at over 1 million baht. This raid was part of an effort to mitigate the potential contamination of squishies with carcinogenic substances and heavy metals, ensuring consumer safety. Legal measures are set to be pursued against all involved distributors and importers. Consumers are being urged to purchase only those products that feature the TISI mark as a safety assurance.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ekniti Ramyayanon, Secretary-General of TISI, reported that the Institute has been actively monitoring squishy sales, particularly on online platforms such as TikTok. The focus has been on accounts with substantial followings and views. The investigation identified six major retailers and distribution centers within the Sampeng market area, prompting an immediate inspection by TISI officers. The inspection uncovered 19,665 substandard squishies, totaling 1,013,109 baht in value. Among the businesses, one was found to be both a distributor and importer operating without a permit, while the other five were selling non-compliant products. Legal action is being prepared against all entities involved, with penalties for distributors of uncertified products including up to six months of imprisonment, fines of up to 500,000 baht, or both. Unauthorized importers face harsher penalties, with potential imprisonment of up to two years and fines reaching 2,000,000 baht.
The Secretary-General further highlighted that many of these substandard squishies are composed of low-grade polyurethane and foam materials, which risk containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates, both known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Some squishies mimic food items and have added fragrances, increasing the danger of young children ingesting them, potentially leading to toxic exposure or respiratory blockages. Prolonged exposure to or inhalation of these volatile substances can impair respiratory health and trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, the moisture retention properties of these materials can foster bacterial and fungal growth, and inadequate cleaning can result in skin ailments.
Squishies are classified as "toys" under TISI's controlled products, required to meet TIS 685 Part 1-2562 (Thai Industrial Standard). Despite their popularity on social media and widespread sale across the nation, investigations have shown many do not bear the TIS mark, posing significant health risks to consumers, particularly children and youth, due to potential contamination with chemicals, heavy metals, artificial fragrances, and inferior coatings.
The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) strongly advises parents to be vigilant when selecting toys for their children. It is recommended to opt for products with the TISI mark and a QR code, which verifies authorization and prevents counterfeiting, ensuring the product has passed chemical, heavy metal, and mechanical safety tests. Product labels should clearly display the manufacturer and importer's information, recommended age range, precautions, and be packaged in clean, sealed packaging. TISI is working in collaboration with provincial industrial offices to intensify inspections of sales outlets and plans to expand investigations to identify the sources of these substandard importers, pursuing legal action to the fullest extent possible.