Toy Association Addresses Harmonizing Product Safety Standards at International Workshop

July 5, 2023 | The Toy Association’s Owen Caine, vice president of government affairs, participated in a panel discussion during the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) North American Product Safety Training Workshop held in Boston on June 27.

The goal of the session, titled “State Regulatory & Standards Updates,” was to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the efforts undertaken by The Toy Association, among other organizations, in harmonizing proposed state regulations on consumer products with existing federal and international standards. By promoting harmonization, consumer products industries can enhance product safety while minimizing confusion and complexity for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

Caine was joined by Molly Lynyak, manager of technical committee operations at ASTM International, Jacob Cassady, director of government relations at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and Andrew Hackman, principal lobbyist at Serlin Haley LLP.

The session was part of the daylong workshop, featuring other panels and networking opportunities, that provided an opportunity for global health and safety professionals to participate in discussions that further enhance the safety of consumer products worldwide. Attendees included regulators, consumer and parent advocates, manufacturers, retailers, test labs, consultants, lawyers, health officials, and academia.

Created in 1993, ICPHSO is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing forums for the exchange of ideas and information on health and safety issues related to consumer products manufactured and marketed in the global marketplace. ICPHSO members represent U.S. and global government agencies, manufacturers, importers, retailers, trade associations, certification/testing laboratories, law firms, academia, standards writing organizations, consultants, media, and consumer advocacy groups.