With the boom of China's sex toy industry, experts have demanded that industry standards be established to better regulate the sector for the benefit and safety of the public, according to a report by the Global Times.
More sex toys were sold on this year's Singles' Day (Nov. 11) than in previous years.
According to data from online platform Taobao, the number of sex toys being purchased online has grown 50 percent annually in recent years, with around 30 million Chinese buying sex toys from the Internet in 2015.
Until 2012, the production of sex-related products was overseen by the food and drug administration. Currently, different products are under the supervision of different government departments, including the health authorities and the family planning department.
A specific department for sex toys has yet to be created.
"As China produces 70 percent of the world's sex toys, some big manufacturers that conduct international trade will use international standards such as a FDA certification, while the domestic market remains poorly regulated," said Tony Tong, founder of New Kinsey, a Shanghai-based sexology research institute.
Some vibrators have been found to be made from industrial silicone rather than materials designed to make contact with human bodies, according to a research conducted by Su Weiguo, chairman of the China Council on the Science of Sex.
According to Tong, low-quality silicone, which attracts dirt, could lead to bacterial infections and the inflammation of sexual organs. He added that products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with carcinogenic plastics were common in the market 20 years ago and are still sold to this day.
Some battery-powered vibrators have also been found to have faulty insulation that could give users a shock in a sensitive place, according to Su's research.
Many users on Taobao have complained about the quality of sex toys that have led to bad smells, discomfort and infections. A number of sex doll users have even reported having their sex dolls explode during sex.