US-China move to halt lead paint

Mattel blamed the lead paint on a Chinese sub-contractor

Chinese and US authorities have reached an agreement aimed at preventing any more China-made toys coated in lead paint from being exported to America.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said it had gained assurances from its Chinese counterpart that safeguards would be increased.

Its announcement follows after Mattel, the US's largest toymaker, was forced to withdraw 18 million China-made toys.

Mattel blamed the recent recalls on some of its Chinese sub-contractors.

'Important step'

"This is an important signal from the Chinese government that it is serious about working with CPSC to keep dangerous products out of American homes," said CPSC chairman Nancy Nord.

The deal came after talks in Washington between CPSC officials and their opposite numbers from China's General Administration of Quality Supervision.

Ms Nord is due to appear before US Congress later on Wednesday to discuss the agency's handing of the recent recalls and its efforts to improve the safety of Chinese-made imports.

Earlier this year, Chinese-made dog food and counterfeit toothpastes were also withdrawn from US shelves over health fears.

Brazil said on Tuesday that it had banned imports of Mattel toys until the government could evaluate whether the US company was fully abiding by Brazilian safety rules.