| As you search for the perfect toy to give to the | | | | standards that are set by the toy industry have not |
| little ones in your life this holiday season, you may be | | | | changed despite the recent media uproar. These |
| confused and even scared about some of the recent | | | | standards are high and, when adhered to, are more |
| media attention on toy recalls and overseas | | | | than sufficient to keep toys safe. |
| manufacturing of toys, in general. | | | | At my toy company, History in Action Toys, I have |
| Some parents have even decided to look for other | | | | taken great care in the design of our action figures |
| gift alternatives instead of buying toys. But is this | | | | to ensure that our toys are safe for the children |
| really wise? Toys are intended not only to be a form | | | | who play with and love them. It is important to me |
| of entertainment for children, but also a beneficial and | | | | that they provide a real opportunity for social |
| vital part of their development. They provide a | | | | interaction and educational benefits, but safety is my |
| wonderful source of learning and entertainment for | | | | number one priority when designing and producing our |
| kids of all ages. Playing with creative toys enhances | | | | toys. We currently market three action figure toys |
| motor skills and provides a constructive way to | | | | that each depict a leader from American history. We |
| release energy. By selecting quality toys from a | | | | have had our toys independently tested by a third |
| company that researches their manufacturers | | | | party to determine if they meet the safety |
| thoroughly and regularly, you are giving a child an | | | | standards set forth in CSMC's ASTM F963. |
| amazing way to foster creativity and stimulate | | | | THIS toy company does not ignore safety issues. I |
| intellectual development. | | | | care deeply about children and would never have |
| With this extreme attention on toy safety and | | | | gone into this business or developed toys for them if |
| product recalls in recent months, particularly on toys | | | | this were not true. I worked hard to select a |
| imported from China, it is crucial that consumers be | | | | top-notch manufacturer in China, based upon their |
| informed and not misled. While it is true that over 80 | | | | history, the clients they work with and their |
| percent of the toys sold in this country are imported | | | | capabilities to produce a safe, quality product. I |
| from Chinese manufacturing plants, countries don't | | | | personally visited the manufacturing plant in China |
| make toys -- companies do. It's important to not | | | | that I chose to produce my products, both to ensure |
| view all toy companies as a singular entity. | | | | quality control and to get to know the people I am |
| It is a fact that big name toy companies like Mattel | | | | working with. I consider this both a responsibility and |
| have had some products recalled due to safety | | | | a privilege and I have spent a great deal of time and |
| issues, but it is imperative to set the record straight. | | | | money to guarantee that our products are and |
| Most toy recalls are due to design issues - such as | | | | continue to be safe. Even though the manufacturer I |
| small parts that come off and present a choking | | | | chose was not the least expensive proposal that I |
| hazard and not for the use of unsafe materials. | | | | received, when it came down to a choice between |
| These design-types of recall issues have nothing to | | | | knowing I was producing a safe, quality toy and |
| do with Chinese manufacturers and are, in fact, not a | | | | saving some money, safety and quality won hands |
| manufacturing issue at all. | | | | down. |
| Small toy companies are concerned about recall fears | | | | I have employed Bureau Veritas, an independent |
| being attributed to all companies, instead of the | | | | agency that works with companies worldwide to |
| specific companies affected. There are thousands of | | | | provide independent testing, inspection, auditing and |
| toy companies in the U.S., yet the weight of | | | | certification to help ensure they meet and exceed all |
| attention to recalls among the large toy companies | | | | standards of safety. This independent testing agency |
| such as Mattel and Hasbro bears heavy on small toy | | | | determined that my toys met the ASTM-F963 |
| companies. A small toy company in Madison, WI had | | | | standard. I am pleased with the positive results I |
| this to say on their blog regarding the Mattel toy | | | | have obtained regarding the safety of the toys I |
| recall: | | | | produce. |
| "The Mattel recall is bad for the entire toy industry... | | | | Don't paint all toy companies with the same brush. |
| Mattel's failure to effectively oversee their suppliers | | | | While some companies have been hit hard with |
| darkens the public perception of all Chinese | | | | recalls, many more companies are in the same |
| manufacturers. It's unfortunate this negative | | | | category as mine, having never had an unsafe toy on |
| perception extends to companies that actually | | | | the market. |
| enforce rigorous quality standards, factories whose | | | | You can buy toys for your children this Christmas, |
| products consistently pass safety and lead tests..." | | | | made in the U.S. or in China with confidence and |
| American consumers should be aware that the U.S. | | | | safety. Research the companies you are buying from |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) is also | | | | to determine their safety history and their reputation |
| working very hard to ensure the safety of toys and | | | | for addressing and eliminating problems and concerns. |
| other products imported from China. An International | | | | It is important to remember that most |
| Consumer Product Safety Program known as the | | | | manufacturers, in the U.S. and in China, produce safe, |
| 2007 China Program Plan has been implemented. | | | | quality toys that meet or exceed safety standards |
| Responding to the problem of product recalls from | | | | and that the number of recalled products is an |
| China, the CPSC states, in part: | | | | extremely small percentage of the total amount of |
| The Commission is exploring a variety of means to | | | | toys on the market today. |
| reduce the number of consumer products imported | | | | Check recall lists such as the one that is provided by |
| to the U.S. that pose a substantial product hazard, | | | | the Consumer Product Safety Commission ( You can |
| that violate mandatory product safety standards or | | | | sign up for e-mail notification of all product recalls. |
| that otherwise pose an unreasonable risk to | | | | You can also find great information about toy safety |
| American consumers. These efforts have included | | | | at the Toy Industry Association's Web site, It |
| the creation of a new Office of International | | | | provides recall lists, facts on toys, buying tips and |
| Programs; the development of the China Program; | | | | more. It also addresses the issue of buying toys |
| participating in product safety seminars; direct | | | | manufactured in China in the "Frequently Asked |
| notification to manufacturers and to General | | | | Questions" section of their website with the following |
| Administration for Quality Supervision Inspection and | | | | response: |
| Quarantine (AQSIQ) when a Chinese manufactured | | | | Q: Should I avoid any toys made in China? Won't that |
| consumer product recall occurs; and stepped-up port | | | | be safer for me? |
| and market surveillance to help keep defective or | | | | A: All toys sold in America regardless of where they |
| violative products out of the hands of consumers. | | | | are made must conform to tough U.S. safety |
| It is important to understand the impact of applicable | | | | standards - standards that have served as models |
| U.S. standards, including ASTM-F963, which "relates to | | | | for other industries and countries around the world. |
| possible hazards that may not be recognized readily | | | | Since it is companies, not countries, that make toys, |
| by the public and that may be encountered in the | | | | it is companies that are responsible for adhering to |
| normal use for which a toy is intended or after | | | | rigorous safety standards and conducting inspections |
| reasonably foreseeable abuse. The standard covers | | | | throughout the process. Random on-site and off-site |
| requirements and contains test methods for toys | | | | testing occurs in all manufacturing plants, in China and |
| intended for use by children under 14 years of age." | | | | elsewhere. Toys are also randomly inspected before |
| These standards are put in place as a voluntary way | | | | export to the US. |
| for the toy industry to police itself and protect the | | | | In light of the recent recalls, there has been additional |
| public. | | | | testing and vigilance by toy manufacturers, retailers |
| A second way that the CPSC works with toy | | | | and importers." |
| companies to provide safety information to | | | | I encourage consumers to review and follow helpful |
| consumers is with package labeling. Parents and | | | | toy shopping tips listed below: |
| others can help safeguard the children they are | | | | · Carefully read the label and choose toys |
| buying toys for by reading the labels and following | | | | that bear the ASTM F963 label (Products with this |
| the recommendations and warnings. Many issues in | | | | label have gone through a full array of tests and |
| toy safety are directly related to consumer choices | | | | design specifications to reduce or eliminate potential |
| to purchase toys not intended for a particular age | | | | harm caused by the toys' makeup or use.) |
| group. Most toys are given an age rating and a | | | | · Look for recommendations of appropriate |
| warning if there are specific reasons, such as small | | | | age ranges and warnings of small parts or other |
| parts, if there are inappropriate for young children. | | | | hazardso Consider whether there are younger |
| Recall information that is presented to the media and | | | | children in the home and whether they can be |
| the public fails to properly identify problems related | | | | harmed with the toyo Consider whether the recipient |
| to age-appropriate products for children. There is a | | | | is likely to use the toy in a manner other than the |
| combined responsibility of toy companies, | | | | toy's intended use |
| manufacturers, government, and parents/consumers | | | | · Diligently research any concerns with a |
| to screen age appropriate toys based upon the | | | | particular toy companyo Check the recall lists at the |
| development of a child. While it is easy to choose a | | | | CPSC's Web site: |
| learning game or an intellectually stimulating toy for a | | | | Buying a toy doesn't have to be a frightening |
| particularly mature child, it is important to remember | | | | venture. You can buy toys for your children this |
| that the behaviors and instincts of small children that | | | | holiday season and be confident of their safety and |
| can lead to some safety issues with some toys and | | | | quality. Remember, the safety of our children is a |
| that the guidelines are put in place with that | | | | joint venture between toy companies and |
| consideration in mind. | | | | consumers. We can all do our part to ensure children |
| There is a deep concern for children and safety | | | | can reap all the benefits quality toys have to offer |
| issues in the toy industry, and it is a very real issue | | | | without being in harm's way. |
| that is addressed by most toy companies. The | | | | |