New Standards Represent Ongoing Enhancements in Toy Safety
One of the components of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) that became effective on February 10, 2009 is a mandatory reference to ASTM F963, the toy safety standard that provides guidelines and test methods to protect children from a wide range of potential hazards, including lead exposure, choking, and sharp edges.
On February 17, a new edition of the standard – officially known as the Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (ASTM F963-2008) – was published. Updates, which occur on an ongoing basis to make sure standards are as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible, include revisions to the sections on magnets, acoustics, yo-yo tether toys and flammability; a new section on impaction hazards was added.
The 2007 edition of the standard is still mandatory under the CPSIA, but the standards developer (ASTM International) has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that a new edition has been published. As the enforcement body for CPSIA implementation, the CPSC will consider whether the revisions will improve toy safety. If confirmed, there will be a six month transition period before the new edition goes into effect as the mandatory reference
Toy safety standards are also being updated on the global scene. In March, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a new edition of its standard for the mechanical and physical properties of safe toys (ISO 8124-1:2009). U.S. experts from TIA and its member companies lead the constant updating process for the ISO 8124 family of standards.
In both ASTM and ISO, representatives of TIA and its member companies work hand-in-hand with consumer advocates and government representatives to standardize the requirements that will help to assure the safety of toys . . . demonstrating an ongoing, year-round commitment to leadership in toy safety issues.
Toy Industry to Support National Foster Care Month with a Stuff-A-Thon in California
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) – TIA’s charitable arm – kicked-off its 2009 Toy Bank donation drive in a big way as five large truckloads of toys valued at over $250,000 were collected from more than 230 exhibitors at the 106th American International Toy Fair in February.
A significant portion of the Toy Fair ’09 collection will benefit charities around the nation, including the My Stuff Bags Foundation, a charitable organization that provides hope to children suffering from abuse, neglect and abandonment.
TIF and My Stuff Bags are teaming together on May 19 to host the toy industry’s first-ever “Stuff-A-Thon” as a way of commemorating May as “National Foster Care Month.” The goal is to prepare more than 5,000 duffel bags containing toiletries, handmade items and toys for children in need.
The Toy Bank supports a wide range of charities across the nation, collecting and distributing more than 6 million toys valued at over $46 million since the program’s inception in 2003. The goal is to hit $50 million in cumulative fair market value during 2009!
One of the components of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) that became effective on February 10, 2009 is a mandatory reference to ASTM F963, the toy safety standard that provides guidelines and test methods to protect children from a wide range of potential hazards, including lead exposure, choking, and sharp edges.
On February 17, a new edition of the standard – officially known as the Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (ASTM F963-2008) – was published. Updates, which occur on an ongoing basis to make sure standards are as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible, include revisions to the sections on magnets, acoustics, yo-yo tether toys and flammability; a new section on impaction hazards was added.
The 2007 edition of the standard is still mandatory under the CPSIA, but the standards developer (ASTM International) has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that a new edition has been published. As the enforcement body for CPSIA implementation, the CPSC will consider whether the revisions will improve toy safety. If confirmed, there will be a six month transition period before the new edition goes into effect as the mandatory reference
Toy safety standards are also being updated on the global scene. In March, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a new edition of its standard for the mechanical and physical properties of safe toys (ISO 8124-1:2009). U.S. experts from TIA and its member companies lead the constant updating process for the ISO 8124 family of standards.
In both ASTM and ISO, representatives of TIA and its member companies work hand-in-hand with consumer advocates and government representatives to standardize the requirements that will help to assure the safety of toys . . . demonstrating an ongoing, year-round commitment to leadership in toy safety issues.
Toy Industry to Support National Foster Care Month with a Stuff-A-Thon in California
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) – TIA’s charitable arm – kicked-off its 2009 Toy Bank donation drive in a big way as five large truckloads of toys valued at over $250,000 were collected from more than 230 exhibitors at the 106th American International Toy Fair in February.
A significant portion of the Toy Fair ’09 collection will benefit charities around the nation, including the My Stuff Bags Foundation, a charitable organization that provides hope to children suffering from abuse, neglect and abandonment.
TIF and My Stuff Bags are teaming together on May 19 to host the toy industry’s first-ever “Stuff-A-Thon” as a way of commemorating May as “National Foster Care Month.” The goal is to prepare more than 5,000 duffel bags containing toiletries, handmade items and toys for children in need.
The Toy Bank supports a wide range of charities across the nation, collecting and distributing more than 6 million toys valued at over $46 million since the program’s inception in 2003. The goal is to hit $50 million in cumulative fair market value during 2009!
