财经聚焦丨风口之上，“谷子”质量如何保证？

Core Viewpoint - The "Guzi" economy, referring to the consumption culture and economic form surrounding secondary dimension IP peripheral products, is rapidly growing in China, with a market size projected to reach 168.9 billion yuan in 2024 and exceed 300 billion yuan by 2029. However, concerns regarding product quality and safety regulations are increasingly prominent [1][4]. Group 1: Market Overview - The "Guzi" economy is characterized by the popularity of products such as badges, standees, cards, and figurines among young consumers, particularly minors [1][2]. - The rapid growth of the "Guzi" economy has led to a significant increase in consumer interest, making it a noteworthy new consumption phenomenon [1]. Group 2: Quality Concerns - There are significant quality discrepancies in "Guzi" products, with reports of issues such as stains, paint peeling, severe color differences, and material shrinkage [2][4]. - Some consumers have raised health concerns, suspecting that certain "Guzi" products may contain harmful substances like excessive formaldehyde [4][5]. Group 3: Sources of Poor Quality - Investigations reveal that substandard "Guzi" products often result from the use of unqualified materials and lack of proper quality certification [5][6]. - Some products may contain harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and heavy metals, posing health risks, especially to children [7][8]. Group 4: Regulatory Challenges - The emergence of new "Guzi" products has created regulatory blind spots, as they do not fit neatly into existing categories for children's or educational products [11][12]. - There is a lack of clear standards for these new products, complicating the determination of which regulatory body should oversee them [13]. Group 5: Regulatory Actions - Regulatory bodies in regions like Zhejiang and Beijing are taking steps to ensure the quality and safety of "Guzi" products, including regular inspections and the requirement for compliance with product quality laws [15]. - There is a call for the establishment of industry standards to ensure manufacturers have clear guidelines to follow, as well as increased scrutiny of online sales platforms to prevent the sale of substandard products [15][16].