TIA Participates in Product Safety Training Seminars for Chinese and Vietnamese Buyers

September 27, 2016 | The Toy Industry Association (TIA) recently presented important information about U.S. toy safety standards at product safety training programs held in China and Vietnam.

The free training sessions were attended by more than 500 resident buyers and sourcing professionals who purchase toys and other goods for major U.S., Australian and Canadian importers.  

The seminars took place at local manufacturing centers and focused on products for children and other products that have a higher likelihood of regulatory noncompliance and potential hazards, such as electronics, furniture and apparel.

In China, the seminars were held in Ningbo (September 20) and Guangzhou (September 22), and were hosted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The CPSC and Health Canada conducted a similar training seminar for buyers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam today (September 27).

TIA’s Alan Kaufman, SVP of technical affairs, was a presenter at the sessions to provide buyers and suppliers with critical information about existing and upcoming U.S. regulatory requirements. Presenters from U.S., Canadian and Australian agencies and organizations also discussed port seizures and how to avoid product recalls.

“TIA’s participation in these seminars is a key element of our enduring partnerships with global regulators to ensure the continued safety and compliance of toys intended for the U.S. and other markets, regardless of where in the world they are manufactured,” said Kaufman.

“The seminars were met with enthusiasm by the buyers, who were eager to learn about the latest updates to the U.S. toy safety standard, ASTM F963, and safety standards in Australia and Canada, as well as key requirements under each country’s product safety legislation,” he added.

TIA has been conducting safety training programs for Chinese manufacturers and buyers since 1996. The seminars are an important component of TIA’s ongoing commitment to product safety education. For more information, contact toysafety@toyassociation.org.