Fun is clearly a priority for toy makers—but so, too, is safety. And the ever-changing landscape of toy safety regulations means that manufacturers need constant access to up-to-date information from around the U.S. and the world.

The Toy Association’s new Safety Education Program and International Toy Safety Database aim to meet that need, giving members and toy industry insiders an overview of the state, national, and international regulations relevant to the industry.

“Bringing joy through the magic of play is what motivates this industry—and toy safety is a critical part of that quest,” the association states on its website. “Toys are highly regulated worldwide, and it’s critically important that industry representatives be knowledgeable regarding these requirements so that companies can remain compliant, even as regulations and standards change.”

The goal of the program, which was first announced at the recent Toy Fair New York, is to make education resources readily accessible, said Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs at the organization.

“The Toy Association has been educating members on toy safety regulations and requirements for many years,” Desmond said in comments to The Toy Book, an industry news outlet. “The Safety Education Program is unique in that it is accessible online 24/7 for participants to go through at their own pace and as their schedules allow, as opposed to our in-person safety seminars and conferences, and webinars that are held at set times.”

He said the regulatory database will include details on consumer product requirements for a variety of countries, including the U.S. (and its states), Canada, Mexico, European Union nations, and Australia. The database details requirements regarding labeling, packaging, and restricted materials, among other things.

The education program is available for free to Toy Association members and for a fee to nonmembers. The database is available only to the group’s manufacturing members, Desmond told The Toy Book.

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