Toy Industry Association

Leaders of the Global Toy Industry Meet in Germany

The 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) was held in early June in Munich, Germany. Representatives of 21 national toy trade associations convened to focus on issues affecting the health and safety of children throughout the world, including international toy safety standards and a responsible attitude to advertising and marketing to children.

The U.S. Toy Industry Association (TIA) is a founding member of ICTI and manages it secretariat responsibilities.Arnold “Arnie” Rubin, CEO of Funrise, and member of the Advisory Committee to the TIA Board of Directors was unanimously elected as the new ICTI president for a three-year term beginning June 2009; TIA last held the role of president of ICTI in 2001.


Next Phases of New TIA Toy Safety Program Launch

Certification Bodies Apply for ANSI Accreditation On June 15, TIA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) announced that applications for accreditation are now being accepted from product certification bodies who wish to participate in TIA’s new Toy Safety Certification ProgramSM. TIA created the TSCPSM to improve toy safety, help restore stakeholder confidence in toy products, and comply with new federal legislation that toys be tested by a qualified lab and certified that they meet rigorous national safety standards and regulations. The TSCP goes well beyond testing and compliance to encompass the entire product life cycle . . . including risk and hazard analysis at the design stage and an audit of factories during the manufacturing stage.

ANSI, coordinator of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system and under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with TIA, is the exclusive third-party accreditor of TSCP certification bodies. Its accreditation program will operate according to requirements defined under the TSCP and guidelines established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

Program Requirements Updated
Though the accreditation of certification bodies is necessary before any companies can certify their toy products, companies that are interested in submitting their toy products for certification can prepare themselves by reviewing a complete set of TSCP program requirements. TIA published the latest edition of the requirements document on June 5 following their approval by the TSCP Technical Committee. Revisions include more detail regarding the credentials of design analysis assessors, the established and internationally recognized ISO 9001 as a starting base for factory process control evaluations and refinements to the testing section including recognition of in-process testing and third-party sampling.

TIA made the refinements based on feedback from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), consumer representatives, retailers, factories, third-party service providers, and toy companies of various sizes and making a wide range of products; additional refinements are expected from the new TSCP Oversight Council and the CPSC as the program is implemented.

For additional information, please visit the TSCP website or contact TSCP Technical Outreach Director Michael Perkins.


Safe Summer Play Tips from the Toy Industry Association

Kids of all ages are already starting to hit beaches, parks and backyards to enjoy the outdoor play that makes the warm days of summer so much fun. From gardening and building sets to sidewalk chalk and scooters, and from bubbles and water blasters to bicycles and skateboards, a broad range of outdoor toys will help to entertain the young and the young at heart.

As the season kicks into high gear, TIA offers parents a few toy-related tips to help promote a safe, active and fun summer:­

Pay close attention to the age appropriate guidelines on toy product packaging. Age labeling is a safety precaution and is based on children's developmental skills and ability at a given age – and the appropriateness of the toy for that age. Age labeling does not pertain to the intelligence of a child so you never want to select toys marked with an age older than the child's age.

Make adult supervision a crucial element of outdoor play.Children are quick and inquisitive. They should never be left alone near water sources (pools, inflatable kiddie pools, beaches, etc.) ... not even for a moment. Water toys should be kept out of sight or out of reach when not being used so children are not tempted to play in or near the water alone. TIA has also promoted the Safe Kids USA website as a great resource for outdoor play tips.

Buckle children up with helmets, knee pads and other protective gear. Buckling up is equally important for bicycles and other ride-on toys, including tricycles, scooters, skateboards and skates. Visit the CPSC website for tips on how to make sure helmets fit properly and comfortably so that kids will not take them off.

Keep young bodies protected from the sun and heat. Outdoor play areas should be covered to protect sensitive children’s skin from the sun’s intense rays. Children should wear hats, 100% UVA sunglasses, and a broad spectrum sunscreen (UVA and UVB Protection) when playing outdoors. Studies show that children do not always experience thirst before dehydration, so it is important that they drink plenty of fluids during and after play, even when they do not feel thirsty.

Organize and store toys to prevent slips, trips and falls.Large, plastic bins with lids are perfect for organizing and storing smaller toys; bins should be marked by name so that toys for children of differing ages can be easily separated. An outdoor shed should be set up with designated “parking” spaces near the door for bicycles and other ride-on toys; smaller items like skateboards and skates should be hung off ground-level or stored on shelves.