The association is reminding parents this month to be aware of unsafe counterfeit toys, as 80% of parents say they struggle to tell legitimate products from knockoffs online
The US Toy Association is kicking off the fifth annual Toy Safety Awareness Month this November, reminding families to ensure they’re selecting safe, authentic, and age-appropriate toys ahead of the festive season.
In a new survey of 1,000 parents commissioned by the association, 80 per cent said it was getting harder to spot counterfeit toys, and nearly 90 per cent are concerned about the safety of knockoff toys. Yet more than half (58 per cent) admitted they’d still purchase toys from online sellers and brands they are unfamiliar with if the price is cheaper.
“Legitimate toys sold by responsible brands and retailers must comply with 100-plus rigorous federal safety standards and tests before reaching consumers, but knockoff toys sold by rogue sellers online may not comply with these same standards”
“Gift-givers should know that it’s crucial to be able to spot counterfeit toys lurking online,” said Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s SVP of Standards and Regulatory Affairs, affectionately known as the Toy Safety Mom.
“Legitimate toys sold by responsible brands and retailers must comply with 100-plus rigorous federal safety standards and tests before reaching consumers, but knockoff toys sold by rogue sellers online may not comply with these same standards and may not be safe for kids. Informing families about how to spot counterfeit toys – and other important play safety tips – is a top priority for The Toy Association and our members during the holiday season and all year long.”
Knockoff toys sold by rogue, unknown sellers on third-party marketplaces are highly unlikely to comply with strict US toy safety standards, including stringent regulations for small parts, magnets, batteries, physical and chemical properties, and more.
To hope combat the issue, The Toy Association is offering parents, grandparents, and other gift-givers trusted toy and play safety advice throughout November on social media and at PlaySafe.org.
The findings follow similar concerns in the UK. A shocking 90% of the toys purchased through online marketplaces for a recent investigation by British Toy and Hobby Association failed to meet stringent UK toy safety requirements and pose a threat to children. Four in five of the toys failed testing to a safety standard, making them unsafe, while a further 9% failed on legal labelling requirements.
