Toy Association Focuses on Facts to Tackle Latest List Attacking Safety of Toys

November 19, 2021 | With many shoppers getting an early start on their toy buying this year amid supply chain disruptions, certain NGO groups are unfortunately using it as an opportunity to needlessly scare parents with their own inaccurate “unsafe toys” reports filled with misinformation.

As W.A.T.C.H (World Against Toys Causing Harm) released its annual list of “10 Most Dangerous Toys” (featuring products that are fully compliant with U.S. federal safety laws) on November 17, The Toy Association was at the ready with facts to challenge each erroneous claim. The Association also offered support and counsel to member companies targeted by these groups.

Toy Association staff provided interviews and statements to numerous media outlets, emphasizing the 100+ federal toy safety tests and standards in place to protect children. Of the total W.A.T.C.H. coverage to date, The Toy Association was mentioned in 35 percent of published news articles and broadcast segments, providing audiences with accurate information on toy safety and a rebuttal to the group’s false and irresponsible claims. Outlets that mentioned The Toy Association included the Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report, San Francisco Chronicle, and Buffalo News, among others.

“Thanks to our industry’s 24/7 commitment to toy safety and focus on providing consumers with factual information year in and year out, this report and others like it continue to receive less media attention,” said Joan Lawrence, senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs at The Toy Association. “If W.A.T.C.H. was truly serious about safety, they would use a third party, federally approved testing lab to accurately review the toys in their report to ensure compliance. But instead, they continue to rely on scare tactics, misrepresent the safety standards and cite toy recalls and product package safety and warning information as reasons to believe that toys are unsafe, when the exact opposite is true.”

The Toy Association is continuing to monitor coverage of this report and will respond to any claims on behalf of members. Members are advised to reach out to The Toy Association’s Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communication, for more information or assistance.