Report: Toys "R" Us to Increase Toy Testing

New York City, Toys "R" Us is increasing the frequency of safety checks conducted on products sold in its stores after a slew of Chinese-made toys were recalled this summer due to unsafe levels of lead paint.

"Earlier this year we began spot checking of products on our store shelves as part of our increased efforts for quality assurance," said Toys "R" Us spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh. "But in light of recent recalls we have begun a systematic recheck of all products on our store shelves."

Earlier on Monday, The New York Times reported that the company had hired engineers to regularly visit the company's stores to take branded toys to independent labs for testing. The report also said Walt Disney Co. will start its own testing of toys featuring Disney characters. The process will include random testing of products already on store shelves, the report said.

Retailers are taking action ahead of the critical holiday selling season, and last month, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it was asking suppliers to resubmit testing documentation for the toys it sells.

Wal-Mart also said it hired independent laboratories to conduct an average of 200 additional tests each day.