Quality at mbw®
Each advertising medium also represents the advertising company. Against this background, the quality of the article used is particularly important, because the impression that the promotional item leaves is also transferred to the sender. In addition, good and secure advertising media also communicate appreciation towards the recipient - the basis for successfully initiating and cultivating customer contacts.
We not only adhere strictly to the requirements of the Toy Directive and the Product Safety Act (ProdSG), REACH and the legal requirements, in many cases we exceed them.
We regularly test the quality of all our products, among others by TÜV Süd, TÜV Rheinland, Hermes HanseControl, OEKO-TEX®, Labtech and other certified and accredited institutes.
Quality management at mbw®
Quality control in the Far East is carried out by employees who continuously monitor production and thus make an important contribution to ensuring that mbw® will continue to be able to supply selected products reliably and in consistent quality in the future.
Since July 2012, mbw® has installed an in-house quality management system. This department is solely responsible for product monitoring, compliance with guidelines and standards, and process optimization in the company. Within the context of quality management, a large number of BSCI factories in China are regularly visited. mbw® itself is amfori BSCI member since 2010.
This makes quality visible, tangible and measurable and creates trust.
Cuddling and advertising with quality
The orange MiniFeet® label from mbw® stands for cuddling with quality. Accordingly, mbw® is continuously committed to guaranteeing the exclusive quality and the best possible safety of the MiniFeet® articles.
Certified materials for advertising plush animals
At mbw®, only high-quality materials are used. All products comply with legal requirements. Many of them have been tested by renowned test institutes such as TÜV Rheinland, TÜV Süd or Eurofins.
The following aspects should generally be taken into account when using stuffed animals as an advertising medium:
- Are the eyes securely fastened?
- Are small parts removable?
- Are there any open seams?
- What's the smell?
- Does the material discolour?
- What is the material strength like?
- Is the cleanliness requirement fulfilled?
- Does the article have a product label?
Quality you can trust in
Design requirements
From the very first idea for a new product, the focus of our thoughts is on exceeding the legal requirements. We pay attention to the realisability and the choice of materials already at the design stage and make use of materials that have already been tested and certified.
Quality control in the country of production
Our products are already tested in the production facilities by our own employees on site as well as by mbw® commissioned "3rd party inspection".
- inline inspection: Inspection of the products during the production process
- final inspection: inspection of products after completion/before shipment
We do not only pay attention to the quality of the products, but also to the compliance with social and legal standards.
Social responsibility is a top priority at mbw®.
The company is a member of amfori BSCI and prefers to produce in companies that also meet the requirements of amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) or ICTI (International Council of Toy Industry). The social compliance team in Shanghai checks and advises the manufacturers of the mbw® products.
Inspection of incoming goods
For us, the inspection of incoming goods is one of the most important points in the purchasing process. The delivered goods are randomly inspected according to AQL (acceptable quality limit). Among other things, we pay attention to
- open seams
- Fixing the eyes
- odor
- Symmetry of arms + legs
- label
In addition, the delivered products are compared with the "master sample" - the release sample. Any differences between the production batch and the sample lead to further checks and, if necessary, to a reclamation with the producer.
Only after passing the quality control and release the incoming goods are booked into the ERP system of mbw®.
Retention samples: Samples are retained from each delivered batch in order to be able to provide an appropriate sample for the tests even in the case of time-delayed complaints.
Test labels and their meaning
The CE mark
The safety of toys is the responsibility of the manufacturer/distributor. He confirms this by the CE mark, which he puts on the product himself.
The CE mark is considered a "passport" for the European market and an initial indicator of trustworthy products. It documents compliance with product-specific European directives. - in our case the EN71. For some products there is a CE marking duty, e.g. for electrical appliances, building products and also toys for children.
A CE conformity assessment is very complex and must be checked regularly. In the case of product improvements, this assessment must be done again.
Please note: The CE mark alone says nothing about the harmlessness of a product!
Manufacturers could also attach it to the product without prior testing. They would violate laws, standards and relevant directives and be liable to prosecution. Unfortunately, this is the case over and over again, which further lowers consumer confidence. Only a declaration of conformity confirms the legality of a CE marking.
Our tip for buying advertising material:
Ask for a declaration of conformity for all products with CE marking. This way you can also show your customers that product safety is close to your heart. The declaration of conformity is provided to you by mbw® free of charge.
The TÜV Proof Mark
The TÜV Proof Mark is awarded to the tested product for one year after a comprehensive test of both physical-mechanical and chemical properties. In its tests, TÜV ensures that the toys tested not only comply with the EU standard DIN EN 71, but also subject each toy to an additional pollutant test. The audit firm examines whether the toys can withstand the usual stresses and strains of playing. In addition, there must be no risk of injury from cables, ropes, corners or detachable parts.
The TÜV-Proof test by TÜV Rheinland documents the quality, safety and usability of our products with a neutral and recognised test mark - quickly found on the online certification database using the unique identification number.
GS - tested safety
The symbol for "GS - Tested Safety" is an internationally recognised quality mark. It is only awarded to products that meet the requirements that go beyond the legal requirements.
The GS mark is intended to ensure that the technical requirements for the safety of a product are met and monitored by an independent testing company. The award of the GS mark is regulated in the Product Safety Act and is limited to a maximum of five years. If the tested product is changed, it will be automatically extinguished. All the effects of the product on human health and safety must be tested. Of course, very different tests are required from product to product. The very general specifications determine the scope of the test in detail.
In order to be allowed to affix the GS mark, the manufacturer must subject his product to a type examination by a test centre. To maintain the certificate, inspections are carried out in the manufacturer's factory. It checks whether the product produced still corresponds to the tested sample or whether changes have been made. Such inspections, which are mostly annual, also include quality control and final product testing. The aim is to determine whether serial production of the product works.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
With its decades of experience, the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® contributes to a high and effective product safety from the consumer's point of view. Test criteria and limit values often go far beyond national and international regulations. Extensive product controls and regular company audits also ensure that the industry is sensitized to the responsible use of chemicals in a sustainable manner throughout the world. Thanks to this concept, the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® has been a pioneer for many years.
Textile products receive the STANDARD 100 label if they have been successfully tested for harmful chemicals on the basis of the comprehensive OEKO-TEX® criteria catalogue by one of the OEKO-TEX® member institutes and thus contribute to effective consumer protection. The prerequisite for the certification of products according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is that all components of an article meet the required criteria without exception - in addition to the outer fabric, e. g. sewing threads, inlays, prints, etc., as well as non-textile accessories such as buttons, eyes, pellets, etc., for example.
STANDARD 100 test criteria: The OEKO-TEX® tests for harmful substances comprise more than 100 different parameters and go far beyond the legal requirements. These include, among others:
- Forbidden azo colorants
- Carcinogenic and allergenic dyes
- pesticides
- Heavy metals (e. g. nickel)
- Plasticizers (Phthalates)
- formaldehyde
The certified articles comply with the applicable requirements of Annex XVII of REACH. Comprehensive safety for the consumer - this is the claim of the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 testing of harmful substances.
Labtech
The LABTECH test mark confirms the high quality of our products. Through all standard-compliant physical and chemical tests and inspections, LABTECH Prüfgesellschaft mbH guarantees that all relevant pollutant regulations, such as REACH, are considered and complied with.
