Advocating on Behalf of the Toy Industry in 2017
January 6, 2017 | Proposed trade policies, children’s online privacy concerns, new tax laws, and intellectual property protection are just a few of the issues that are projected to impact the toy industry in 2017. With state and federal policymakers returning to action this month, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) is encouraging members to join forces to ensure that the toy industry’s needs and concerns are heard in the year ahead.
“At our December strategy meeting, it became clear to us that 2017 would pose significant challenges to the toy industry,” said Ed Desmond, TIA executive vice president of external affairs. “TIA is prepared to meet these issues head-on, but we are counting on our members to get involved to make sure our voices are heard by state and federal legislators. Together, we will succeed in what is projected to be a very challenging and dangerous political climate.”
At the strategy meeting, TIA members and staff discussed strategic approaches to best position and represent the industry in the face of several issues, including:
- Trade: serious questions have been raised about how proposed trade policies would impact the industry.
- Children’s Online Privacy: an increasing concern among state and federal policymakers is protecting children’s privacy, as connectivity and technology play a larger role in toys.
- Tax: reductions in corporate taxes have been promised but so has the imposition of a tax on products brought into the U.S. if manufactured outside of this country.
- Intellectual Property Protection: with increasing problems stemming from the counterfeiting of products and with companies continuing to face frivolous patent claims, TIA will be creating a new committee focused on addressing intellectual property protection issues.
- TSCA Implementation: TIA’s attention is now focused on the Environmental Protection Agency as it begins to implement the TSCA law passed year by Congress.
- State Action: While a lot of attention is directed at the new Congress and incoming Trump Administration, TIA is expecting significant state threats around the country on issues ranging from chemical regulation to battery recycling to extended producer responsibility.
“Members can get involved by joining one of our advocacy committees, attending our annual congressional fly-in (May 9-10, 2017) and staying up-to-date on TIA communications concerning important issues,” added Desmond.
TIA will be reaching out to members throughout the year as issues arise; details on the IP committee are forthcoming. In the meantime, members are encouraged to contact TIA’s External Affairs team to learn more about the above issues and to sign up for one of TIA’s advocacy committees.