ANSI, TIA to Release Information on Toy Safety Conformance Program

January 13, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

The program was developed by the U.S. Toy Industry Association (TIA) in conjunction with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and a working group of safety experts and industry, government and consumer leaders.

Developed in response to toy safety concerns raised during the summer of 2007, the new program prescribes procedures and provides audit mechanisms for design hazard analysis, manufacturing process controls and in-plant testing, according to ANSI.

"We are developing a system that will help to assure that products entering the U.S. market meet this nation's rigorous toy safety requirements - whether those requirements are defined in standards or regulations," said Carter Keithley, TIA president.

The initiative was launched following an August 2007 vote by the TIA Board of Directors to endorse a three-point plan that would reinforce toy testing and inspection systems. TIA commissioned ANSI to chair the initiative.

Toy manufacturers and retailers, safety experts, consumer advocates and government authorities are involved in the program's development, said ANSI.

Early predictions pointed to the availability of a draft for public comment by Dec. 31, 2007. The working group agreed to defer publication of the draft for an additional month to allow more time for the development of detailed programmatic components including the proposed administration of the program.

"Producing a detailed and complex program like this one in barely four months was a very ambitious schedule," said one working group participant. "The additional month gives us the time we need to confirm that we are recommending a program that will take the industry to a new level of toy safety assurance."

Source: American National Standards Institute (ANSI).