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TOY SAFETY
If your eyes glaze over when you try to understand toy safety standards, you've come to the right place. There's a wealth of information out there, but by the time you read it all, you've forgotten about the toy you wanted to purchase in the first place. What to do? We've tried to provide the basics in comprehending toy safety, but the bottom line is if you purchase a toy from us, it's safe. That's because we take the time to screen the companies we work with--and they're top notch. Our toy makers carefully monitor their toy production, meet the safety requirements of various organizations and mark their products with the appropriate label and age recommendation. We are confident about the manufacturers we work with, and we're confident about their toys. When we visit the International Toy Fair in New York every year, we seek out those companies who are producing the kinds of toys we want for our own families. We trust these companies because they have a record of quality assurance, and they continually inform us of their current safety practices. They have reputations on the line, and they're not about to risk them by cutting corners.
What is the Toy Industry Association?
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is a non-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America. Its members of over 500 companies are committed to the health and safety of children who play with these toys. Their mission is to ensure safe play. The TIA represents one of the most highly regulated industries in the country and has a long history of leadership in toy safety. In fact, the TIA developed the first comprehensive toy safety standards. They work to ensure that toy manufacturers are meeting or exceeding all safety standards before the toys are sold. The manufacturers must comply with these regulations even if the toys are not made in America.
What is the United States toy industry doing to ensure toy safety?
The toy industry is specifically working with the following organizations to ensure safe play:
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The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to establish uniform, effective toy safety testing and inspection procedures for use across the industry so that the testing process is done consistently and labs that perform the tests are competent and accredited to international standards.
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to strengthen measures to ensure all toys are safe. This is the independent federal agency that oversees the safety of consumer products. They enforce the U.S. requirements for toy safety and issue product recalls as needed. You can review lists of recalled toys on their web site.
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Members of the U.S. Congress to make toy testing mandatory by accredited labs.
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Consumer groups to ensure the toy industry is listening and responding to concerns and to explore ways to promote safe play. Health and safety experts to provide parents with the resources they need such as Safe Kids Worldwide and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the primary safety standards being used by the American toy industry?
1. Mandatory federal standard (Code of Federal Regulations, Commercial Practices 16 [16CFR])
2. Voluntary standards (ASTM F963-03 Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety)
More information on these standards and others is available by visiting the TIA web site, toyassociation.org.
What is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)?
 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a federal organization this is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products. They are committed to protecting consumers from any product that may pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. Children's toys fall under their jurisdiction. Toy safety standards are continually updated and modified as the understanding of risks increases and new products are developed. The CPSC is the primary resource for information on product safety concerns and recalls. All toys sold in America must adhere to the standards set by this commission. A list of current recalls can be viewed on their site, cpsc.gov.
What is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)?
 The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), now known as ASTM International, is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. Formed over a century ago, they have provided standards that have made products and services safer, better and more cost effective. These standards play an important role in guiding design, manufacturing and trade around the globe. Safety statements from toy companies often include mention of complying with all voluntary standards--a reference to ASTM.
What is the CE Mark?
 When a toy carries the CE mark on its label, it means the manufacturer has complied with all requirements set by the Toy Safety Directive of the European Union (EU). This means that the toys are tested to European Standard EN71. It is mandatory that all toys sold in the European market must carry the CE Mark. While the European requirements are not identical to those of the United States, they are very similar. American safety standards are generally regarded as the model for other markets. Many American toy companies meet the European requirements as well as those of the United States in order to compete in the world market.
What types of tests does the toy industry use to evaluate toys while they'e being produced?
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Use and abuse testing, which consists of drop, torque, tension, compression and flexure testing
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Destructive testing
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Chemical testing
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Electrical testing
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Microbiological evaluations
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Toxicological evaluations
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Life/reliability testing
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Flammability testing
In addition, inspections are conducted at every stage of design, development and production as well as continued inspection when leaving factories and distribution centers. Third parties, retailers and manufacturers perform retesting.
What about toys made in China? Are they safe to buy?
An important fact you should know is that all toys sold in America must conform to very tough U.S. safety standards, regardless of where they are made. These standards have served as models for other industries and countries around the world. There's a lot of comfort in that.
The companies that make the toys are responsible for adhering to these strict standards, not the countries in which the toys are made. The toy companies conduct inspections throughout the manufacturing process. Unannounced on-site and off-site testing occurs in all manufacturing plants, and the toys are also randomly inspected before export to the United States. As an extra precaution, testing is also conducted on samples of toy products pulled from warehouses before shipping to retailers. All materials used in manufacturing obtained from other suppliers must also meet safety standards. Recently, there has been additional testing and vigilance by manufacturers, retailers and importers.
China's toy industry has been regulated since early 2007. In addition to the regulations that toy companies must follow to sell their products in America and Europe, toys produced in China must meet specific requirements and be certified by a Chinese government agency. Without the proper certification, toys cannot leave factories, be sold or imported to China. Toys are subject to inspection and certification review. This will be helpful in promoting environmental protection through production regulation as well as toy safety.
There are many reputable toy companies in the United States whose toys are manufactured in countries overseas. Because of the high costs of manufacturing in the United States, many companies have turned to overseas production in order to remain viable and offer their customers a toy that is not cost prohibitive. Within the past several years, many European companies are turning to China as well for their production needs. There are some beautiful, safe toys on the market that are made in China, and it's not hard to tell which companies are engaged in rigorous quality control in their overseas plants. When a toy has the look of quality, there's a lot going on behind the scenes to make sure that stringent standards are being met.
What can parents do to ensure a safe play experience for their children?
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Check the age grading for a toy and follow it. Toys with small parts that may present a choking hazard should have an age grading of three years and older.
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Avoid toys with small parts for children under the age of three or children who mouth toys.
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Avoid all toys with sharp points or rough edges.
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Follow any instructions that are provided with a toy for its appropriate use.
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Supervise playtime.
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Keep toys in an easy access storage bin with a removable lid.
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Follow cleaning instructions for the toy to keep it in good repair.
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Repair or discard any broken toys.
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Teach older children to keep their toys away from younger siblings.
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Keep a separate toy chest for older children so that younger siblings don't play with toys that are unsuitable for their age.
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Beware of used toys and toys purchased from online auction sites. Many recalled toys find their way to these sites as an easy way to liquidate dangerous merchandise.
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Buy toys from a trusted source and use common sense when purchasing a toy.
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