Toys that are safe
The Toy Association, a trade group that has major toy makers like Mattel as its members, set up a Web site just for toy safety info in light of so many recalls right before the holidays. There's a list with pictures of toys that have been recalled, info on why Aqua dots are being recalled, a description of how toys are made.
They also address buying toys made in China by explaining toy safety standards. "All toys sold in America regardless of where they are made must conform to tough U.S. safety standards...it is companies that are responsible for adhering to rigorous safety standards and conducting inspections throughout the process." They don't gloss over the fact that safety standards are self-enforced and not regulated by the government, but they don't come right out and say it either.
I know this is the way it works because I wrote a story for the Daily News Aug 16, 2007 (too old to be listed on our Web site). Part of the story reads "About 80 percent of the toys on U.S. shelves are made in China, where toys can be made more cheaply than in the United States.The United States government does not regulate toys, aside from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which prohibits lead in toys but does not enforce the law. Instead, manufacturers voluntarily test their products. Safety standards in the toy industry are set by the American Society for Testing and Materials, an organization that develops standards for various industries.Many local toy companies require their own set of tests at independent labs, such as Bureau Veritas in Buffalo, N.Y. Mass retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target require a second set of tests done by labs of their choice."
