Tainted school uniforms sealed, refund promised

The 50 sets of school uniforms which were found to contain cancer-causing dyes have been sealed, the Shanghai Education Commission said yesterday.

The commission added the producer, Shanghai Ouxia Clothing Co Ltd, has promised to give Shanghai Wusan Middle School a refund.

The commission also published a list of schools that had purchased problematic uniforms that were uncovered in the latest quality check.

This is the first time education authorities have worked with quality authorities to publish information about school uniforms.

In the past, education authorities did not get involved in the school uniform business.

After the latest cancer-causing uniform scare, the commission asked education bureaus in each district to record all the uniform suppliers and conduct self checks.

According to the information collected yesterday, Yangsi Primary School had purchased 28 sets of school uniforms found to have a high pH index, which can lead to skin allergies. The supplier, Shanghai Piao'Ou Clothing Factory, has promised to exchange the uniforms.

Shanghai Linxuan Clothing Co Ltd's products were found to contain inadequate fiber content. It provided school uniforms to 11 schools including Shanghai Zhengda Middle school and Daxin Middle School. The company has agreed to recall all the products and give refunds, the commission said.

Shanghai Gengqu Industry Development Co Ltd and Shanghai Hafulin Clothing Science and Technology Co Ltd were found to have similar fiber content problems in their products. Currently, no schools have purchased these products.

Shanghai Dongchang High School had purchased 421 sets of uniforms made by Shanghai Anqiang Clothing Co that were found to contain unqualified instructions. The company said it's willing to exchange the uniforms, the commission said.

City regulations allow any factory that produces clothing to make uniforms if they have orders from schools, the quality bureau said.

There is also no rule covering mandatory recall procedures for school uniforms.