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Adrienne Citrin 646/520-4863
                                                                                                               Chris Hayes 212/725-4500

Proposed Toy Safety Assurance Program to be Presented to TIA Board of Directors on February 16^th

February 1, 2008 – Drafting was completed this week on a proposal designed to strengthen the toy safety assurance system for toys sold in the US market.  The development of the Toy Safety Cooperative Initiative (TSCI) was originated by the Toy Industry Association and led by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) along with a working group that included industry, retail, government and consumer representatives.  The proposal will be submitted to the TIA board of directors for their review on February 16^th. 

In August 2007, TIA engaged ANSI to develop a plan to strengthen the testing and verification of toy safety, following toy safety concerns raised in the summer of 2007.  This drafting of the proposal is now complete and will be considered by the TIA Board of Directors at their next meeting.

As the sponsoring organization, the TIA Board will be given the first opportunity to review and comment on the proposed program.  A public review and comment period, previously planned to begin February 1, 2008, will be deferred until the TIA Board has considered the proposal.

Key elements of the proposed program include prescribed procedures and audit mechanisms for design hazard analysis, manufacturing process controls, and in-plant testing.

“We are developing a robust system that will help to assure that products entering the U.S. market meet this nation’s rigorous toy safety requirements,” said Lane Hallenbeck, ANSI vice president of accreditation services and chair of the initiative’s steering committee.  

During its meeting this week in New York City, members of the project steering committee finalized the draft text by reviewing and reconciling the latest requirements identified by the technical working groups. 

“This has been an extraordinarily complex undertaking,” added Carter Keithley, TIA president.  “The working group has had to contend with the variability of literally tens of thousands of new products each year.  TIA applauds the collective effort to develop a cohesive program that supports our vigilance on all aspects of  toy safety.”

About TIA
TIA has a long history of leadership in the development of toy safety standards, and US standards for toys are widely used as models around the globe.  As the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for the youth market, TIA represents over 500 manufacturers and importers of toys who account for approximately 85% of all toys distributed in the North America. Those toy manufacturers are committed to providing safe, fun and innovative playthings for children.  TIA is committed to   providing timely information to parents and caregivers free of charge in order to ensure safe play.  Visit the TIA website at: www.toyassociation.org and www.toyinfo.org.