Introduction
Product recalls by companies in China is a common phenomenon. In recent years, product recalls have affected Mattel toys, Pet foods, baby milk powder, Dell batteries, and baby bibs from Wal-Mart are some of the companies that have been hit by product recalls. In the case of Mattel, over 20 million toys were recalled in 2007. The recall of Mattel Toys came after safety issues emerged concerning products such as tires, toothpaste, and pet food. The recall of over 20 million toys made by Mattel generated several reactions. Blame is placed on the Chinese government, manufacturers, and even buyers. Dell in 2006 recalled over 3 million batteries in laptop computers. Dell batteries are made by companies in China. This paper argues that product safety issues in China arise because of design and manufacturing flaws. The responsibility is for designers and manufacturers, as well as the government to guarantee high-quality products.
History of Chinese Manufacturing
Before 1979, China was under the leadership of Mao Zedong, who developed a centrally planned and commanded economy. The state was largely controlled manufacturing output. In particular, the government set production targets, regulated prices and allocated resources to manufacturers. In the 1950s, household firms were put under large communes. In the process of supporting increased levels of manufacturing and industrialization, the government initiated large-scale investments in relation to human and physical capital. High level of investments in human and physical investments took place in the 1960s and 1970s. At the end of the 1970s, manufacturing plants were owned by the government: State-Owned Enterprises (SEOs). The state ensured that private companies and foreign manufacturers were banned from China. China’s GDP in 1978 was at 6.7%. Other economists report that China had a GDP of 4.4%. From 1958 to 1960s, China was in economic recession as well as an outbreak of famine that killed over 45 million citizens.
Chinese manufacturing had a gross value added basis of 35.1% at the end of 2013, which is higher than the United States. Manufacturing contributes to 28.9% of Chinese GDP, while in the United States; manufacturing contributes to 12.1% of GDPThe government encourages investments in science and technology, education, training, and development of infrastructure. The manufacturing industry in China is traced back to economic reforms introduced at the beginning of 1979. The economy became free so that manufacturers could sell products in a free market. The government also achieved trade liberalization. The elimination of trade barriers motivated Foreign Direct Investments that is associated with the high levels of manufacturing industries in China. After the introduction of economic reforms in 1979, the GDP grew by nearly 10%. High levels of GDP meant that economic activities were doubled after these economic reforms. In the global economic downturn of 2008, China’s manufacturing experienced challenges, especially in exports. The GDP decreased from 14% in 2007 to 9.6 % in 2008In 2009, GDP levels were at 9.2%. While finding solutions to the challenges, the government introduced the economic stimulus package and monetary policy that encouraged domestic investment and consumption.
Manufacturers and Designers Roles
Manufacturers also have a responsibility to guarantee the safety of products by using high-quality materials for production. In the production of baby-care products, as well as toys, it is possible that the manufacturers stuff sharp objects and wires on baby products or bedding and furniture. Manufacturing can also be blamed when products have poorly fitted parts that breakOther safety issues noted in products coming from China include batteries that overheat, as well as electrical circuits that lead to fire breakouts in homes and businesses. Manufacturers of toys also engage in manufacturing flaws when they use lead paint which is not a requirement of designers.
Product safety and recalls in China can be attributed to design problems because design flaws lead to unsafe products despite the place of manufacturing (China or the USA). Manufacturing flaws and vulnerable systems arise because of factors such as negligence and other errors.In the case of toy companies such as Mattel, design is done before sending specifications to manufacturers in China based on outlined specifications. A good toy design does not mean that the toy will be of high quality after manufacturing. However, when the design has flaws, the manufacturer cannot avoid the design flaws.
Product recalls take place despite using the best production systems. Faulty products arise in any country. One of the reasons that led to safety issues relates to design or manufacturing flaws. In the context of design and manufacturing, it is necessary to understand that there are companies that design but allocate manufacturing duties to other firms.In the case of Mattel as a toy company, design is done by the firm while manufacturing is done in overseas production plants. In such instances, the design process is blamed for the high number of product recalls because of safety. Any attempt to find a solution to the safety of goods while preventing recalls should focus on critical problem areas. Issues in design, therefore, place responsibility on designers but not manufacturers.
Government Regulations in China
China has regulations that guarantee the safety of products. The government in China has introduced the "Defective Automobile Products Recall regulations"In the regulation, responsibility is placed on manufacturers of automobile products to guarantee quality. While toys may be designed in overseas countries, the design of automobile products takes place in China or other countries. The regulation also ensures that manufacturers should recall any defective automobile part that causes injury or loss of property.
The second regulation introduced in China relates to the “Product Liability Secured regulations.” These regulations ensure that manufacturers of electronic products take responsibility for the safety of goods. The government is committed to the supervision of manufacturers so that penalties are imposed on products that do not meet safety guidelines. One of the key motivations for legislations controlling the activities of manufacturers is to win the confidence of the consumer after a series of food products that cause safety risks. The government also ensures that any person engaged in food production meets guidelines on food safety standards concerning additives, nutrition, and other ingredients.
The case of Mattel
Mattel is a toy manufacturer based California, United States. The company has been in operation since 1945. In the past few years, the company has been affected by the recall of over 10 million toys because of powerful magnets inserted into toys. When children swallow such magnets, health complications such as intestinal blockage and perforations are possible. Over three-quarters of the Mattel Toys manufactured in China and shipped to the United States had design flaws attributed to the company rather than manufacturers in China.
Safety concerns based on design flaws from Mattel also involve the insertion of die casts in Serge car toys. High levels of lead in surface paint on toys were also noticed. Other toy brands such as Dora and Elmo were also recalled because of high levels of lead. The high levels of excess as a safety risk to children arise from Mattel's Chinese manufacturers. Since the design of toys takes place in California, United States, and manufacturing takes place in China, high levels of lead is attributed to manufacturing problems.
The case of Mattel can be used to avoid global safety issues concerning product recall. Based on sources of safety concerns in Mattel toys, solutions are varied. Design challenges that lead to product safety concerns can be eliminated by learning from other organizations.Also, safety concerns arising from manufacturers in China can be eliminated by setting global standards that should be considered by all manufacturers. The introduction of world manufacturing standards would ensure that Chinese manufacturers meet internationally set guidelines so that product safety does not lead to the mass recall of products.
Safety concerns from toy manufacturers such as Mattel arise because of poor craftsmanship, use of lead paint, overheating batteries, and poor quality raw materials. Safety concerns in the production of toys arise because manufacturers fail to guarantee high-quality products. Since 1988, toy recalls totals to 599. The majority of the recalls can be related to flaws at the design stage. It should be noted that most products manufactured in China are developed outside China. A majority of toy safety concerns arise because of design flaws but not manufacturing flaws.
Melamine-tainted milk safety concern
A contaminated baby milk product was reported by China’s ministry of health in 2008. The Sanlu baby milk powder has serious safety concerns because it causes kidney failure and kidney stones among children when examined by professionals. At the time of the safety concern, the baby milk product was one of the most produced dairy products in China. One of the cases of safety concerns in Sanlu baby milk related to contamination by melamine. The Chinese government issued the recall of the baby milk powder that had been produced before 2008. In this case, the responsibility is placed on manufacturers. Safety issues that affect the products made such as food arises because of manufacturer negligence.
The government in exercising its role examined the case and realized that over 22 companies in China had engaged in the production of food products tainted with chemicals that poison the consumer. The government inspectors found melamine in over 70 batches of the baby milk powder in nearly 20 companies operating in China. After the investigations, the government halted the production of baby dairy products that contained melamine as a toxic element.
Regulations such as "Product Liability Secured regulations" and "defective Automobile Products Recall regulations" are reactionary. It seems that regulations in China are developed after the consumer has been affected by product safety risks. The responsibility of poor safety products is placed on designers and manufacturers. However, the role of the government in inspection and monitoring activities of food, toy, and automobile manufacturers does not exist. Some responsibility is placed on the government of China. The government is in charge of regulations concerning inspection of all companies. Reaction to problems is not ideal especially when there is increased the level of product safety issues. The government has a role in inspecting as well as developing safety guidelines that should be followed by all companies. Any organization that goes against set regulations should be eliminated from the system.
The melamine poison in baby milk led to the death of over five children as well as heath complications to nearly 300,000 children. After the food safety crisis, the government introduced the Food Safety law. The introduction of legislation after food poisoning crisis shows how the government should be blamed for poor safety products in China. The food safety law enacted in 2009 after the food poisoning crisis enables the government to monitor and supervise the activities of food manufacturers. The need to improve safety standards and recall poor quality products motivates the government to design new laws. Further, severe punishment to manufacturers and designers should be initiated to avoid increased levels of product recalls and safety concerns.
Conclusion
Product safety issues in China arise because of design and manufacturing flaws. The responsibility is for designers and manufacturers, as well as the government to guarantee high-quality products. Improving the safety of goods is a responsibility of designers, manufacturers, and governments. Designers of overseas countries that manufacture products in China have a responsibility in reducing the level of product flaws. Manufacturers have a responsibility to guarantee quality products through the use of quality raw materials. It should be noted that design flaws are eminent despite the existence of the state of the art manufacturing systems. Product safety issues in China are therefore a responsibility of designers and manufacturers. In the case of the government in China, responsibility relates to the lack of regulations that control the activities of manufacturers and designers. The laws and legislations developed to reduce product recall figures are reactive. In particular, China only establishes laws concerning the safety of food, toys, and automobile when accidents are reported.
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