More than 800 Participants Learn about U.S. Standards at TIA Toy
Safety Seminars in China
August 6, 2012 | More than 800
participants – twice the original target – attended two Toy
Safety Seminars hosted by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) on August
1st and August 3rd in Dongguan and Shenzhen, China, respectively.
The sessions were designed by TIA to ensure that Chinese factories
licensed to produce toys for the U.S. market are fully informed of the
most up-to-date U.S. toy safety standards. Participants heard directly
from experts representing industry, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and the Chinese government; a key feature of both
seminars was the audience’s interaction with the panelists.
Practical tips were provided on topics ranging from the most recent
changes to the ASTM F-963 toy safety standard; the role of the CPSC and
new requirements under CPSIA; necessary elements of a factory quality
program; emerging issues and hazards and how they are being addressed;
ensuring material safety and reporting, and more. [View agenda]
“Our highly successful China sessions drew a record-breaking
number of attendees, including factory, safety and quality managers and
staff,” said Joan Lawrence, TIA vice president of standards and
government affairs. “Participants were eager to learn more
about U.S. standards, testing and conformance requirements, which will
help them to better execute their customers’ orders while
upholding U.S. toy safety standards.”
“Representatives of the Shenzhen government have already
requested to have the sessions repeated in 2013,” added
Lawrence.
It has been a longstanding priority of TIA’s to educate Chinese
factories producing toys and children’s products for the U.S.
marketplace. TIA has now hosted 13 educational sessions in China over
the years – reaching nearly 4,000 factory employees –
reflecting the Association’s continuing commitment to safety
awareness, education and compliance throughout the supply chain. For the
August 2012 sessions, TIA worked in cooperation with the Chinese
government, the China Toy Association, and the U.S. CPSC.