TIA Advocates for Aligned Toy Standards in Global Markets
TIA Thanks USTR and DOC
TIA recently sent letters to the US Trade Representative (USTR) and Department of Commerce (DOC), thanking the agencies for advocating on behalf of the toy industry in global markets. Read TIA’s letter
to USTR here.
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August 30, 2016 | As an advocate for the global alignment of toy safety standards and regulations, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) works year-round to promote recognition or adoption of strict, internationally recognized toy safety standards (such as ASTM F963) in global markets. TIA has amplified its outreach efforts through the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade Committee and by working directly with international governments in countries and regions around the world.
Recent successes include:
- Turkey – Turkey’s Ministry of Customs and Ministry of Industry halted enforcement of a redundant testing requirement that was implemented on all toy imports.
- Israel – TIA took part in a U.S. government-organized multi-industry delegation to discuss the effectiveness of the internationally recognized ASTM standards (including ASTM F963) with the Standards Institute Israel (SII). As a result of this engagement, ASTM F963 is being considered as a potential alternate standard for toys sold in the Israeli market.
- Thailand and Peru – The two countries committed to notifying the WTO of the toy standards and conformity assessment procedures being developed in their respective countries prior to finalization. This will provide the toy industry with an opportunity to review and provide comments.
- Taiwan – The Taiwan Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) aligned chemical regulations with international standards and amended an inappropriately applied formamide standard.
- China – The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) included metal toys in a pilot program allowing non-Chinese testing facilities to issue “CCC” certification.
- Indonesia – Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry delayed enforcement of an in-country testing requirement.
- Colombia – TIA has secured acceptance of ASTM F963 as demonstration of conformity for toys sold in that country.
In the coming months, TIA will be focused on several regulations and requirements related to toy safety compliance, testing, labeling and registration in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Egypt, with the goal of fostering open dialogue, removing technical barriers to trade, and aligning standards in those requirements with those of ASTM F963 or, alternatively, ISO 8124.
“Over the past several years, the toy industry has seen an increase in onerous international regulations that have increased export costs for U.S. companies and limited their access to developing markets,” said Steve Pasierb, TIA President & CEO. “Toy standards that differ from country to country do not lead to safer toys – instead, they act as technical barriers to trade. TIA is committed to advocating for global toy standards that are aligned and remain protective of children around the world.”