CPSC Filing Requirements Could Add $18.7 Million Burden on Industry

May 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Proposed changes to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) certificate of compliance requirements could add complexities and significantly alter the way most companies manage their logistics for inbound freight to the U.S., according to the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The changes could more than double compliance costs for children’s product companies—from an approximate $15 million annual spent to comply with current certification requirements to nearly $34 million annually. Comments on the proposal are due to the CPSC by July 29.

Under the amended rule, companies that import regulated finished products manufactured outside of the U.S. would be required to file product certificates electronically with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to importation in conjunction with other customs entry documents. Additionally, certifications would have to be identified prominently on the finished product, shipping carton, or invoice with a unique identifier and be accessible online without password protection.

TIA will be submitting comments to the CPSC by the deadline regarding the content requirements of the certificate, the economic impact of the certification rule, the logistics of electronic certification, and more. Members may contact TIA’s Rebecca Mond with any feedback to be included in the submitted comments, or to receive additional information about the rule’s impact. Comments on behalf of individual companies may be submitted directly to the CPSC at www.regulations.gov (docket number CPSC-2013-0017).

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U.S. Companies Look to Overseas Markets for Growth

May 7, 2013 By

Since the domestic market is flat, American toy companies are increasingly becoming interested in exporting, says Carter Keithley, TIA President, who also informs about the New York Toy Fair, the importance of licensing for the toy business, the trends in the U.S. marketplace, and the Association’s activities.

by Daniele Caroli, editor, Giochi & Giocattoli

In order to be updated on the U.S. toy market and on the Toy Industry Association’s activities and events, I met Carter Keithley, president, at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, just a few days before the opening of the New York American International Toy Fair, which is managed by the TIA. [Read more...]

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Revision of U.S. Safety Standard for Tricycles Announced

March 20, 2013 By

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

An update of the American National Standard for Tricycles is now available. Approved by the standards developing body last year, the newly published standard defines safety requirements for all tricycles intended for use by children ages 8 and under and provides a basis for common understanding among producers, distributors, and users of tricycles.

Questions pertaining to the revised standard may be directed to Toy Industry Association’s Joan Lawrence, vice president of standards and regulatory affairs (646) 520-4844.

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Toys Account for 45 Percent of Global Market for Licensed Preschool Properties

February 25, 2013 By

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

According to a new report released last week at the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Content Connection, an educational program for licensors attending the American International Toy Fair, retail sales of licensed merchandise for character-based preschool properties totaled $10.4 billion worldwide last year, up 1 percent over 2011.

The Global Market for Preschool Properties research study was presented during the seminar held on February 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

According to the report, toys accounted for 45 percent of the total on a global scale, up from 38 percent in 2005. The second largest merchandise category was apparel, accessories, and soft goods (24 percent), followed by publishing (9 percent), DVDs (8 percent), and paid apps/electronic content (5 percent).

For more information, visit www.epmcom.com/preschool.

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Toy Trends Announced by Toy Industry Association, Official Voice of Toy Fair

February 15, 2013 By

From toys that are “So Retro!” to arts and crafts inspired by “DIY Design” television shows, and playthings for sociable teens and tweens, the hottest toy trends of the year were unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) during its 110th American International Toy Fair.

After searching high and low through 150,000 products on display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, TIA’s toy trend experts uncovered a new crop of trends that are sure to be on every child’s holiday wish list this year.   [Read more...]

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Sesame Workshop VP Added to Roster of Speakers at Content Connection

February 1, 2013 By

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

Ann Kearns, vice president of licensing at Sesame Workshop, has been added to the Content Connection roster of speakers. The Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Content Connection will take place February 10 to 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  [Read more...]

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CPSC Third-Party Testing Requirements for Children’s Products to Go Into Effect

January 30, 2013 By

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

Third-party test requirements for domestic manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of children’s products will go into effect on February 8. [Read more...]

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PlayCon Has New Dates

January 28, 2013 By

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

PlayCon, the Toy Industry Association’s International Conference of Play Professionals, is an industry gathering that brings together play professionals for a three-day conference featuring general assembly presentations by industry influencers and thought-leaders, interactive workshops, networking lunches, evening events, social activities, and more. [Read more...]

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NumbersAlive! to Debut Internationally at Toy Fairs in Germany, NYC

January 25, 2013 By

NumbersAlive!, a suite of playful plush toys, travel books with educational activities, and games to improve numerical literacy, will debut internationally at two toy fairs. NumbersAlive! travels first to Nuremberg, Germany, for the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair, held from January 30 to February 4, and next to New York City for the Toy Industry Association’s American International Toy Fair, held from February 10 to 13.

The coordinated NumbersAlive! products develop creativity and inquiry skills as children encounter numerical linkages in shapes, quantities, patterns, names, and order—the basics of mathematical and scientific thinking.

For more information, visit www.numbersalive.org/.

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Toy Fair 2013 Mobile App Now Available

January 24, 2013 By

With this year’s mobile app, planning for the upcoming American International Toy Fair and staying on-track has never been easier. With a host of innovative features, attendees will be able to make the most of their time whether it’s on the plane, on the show floor, or running to the next appointment.

App features include a fully searchable exhibitor list, an interactive map with Wayfinding, a personalized agenda, information on TIA Knowledge Network programming, a complete schedule of conference sessions with speaker bios, breaking news, and more.

For more info or to get started, visit m.toyfair.com from your device.

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