Dear Concerned Parents & Caregivers,
As a member of the American Standards & Testing Materials, the organization that creates and manages internationally recognized testing standards, I'm embarking on an effort to add an addendum to the toy safety standard, ASTM 0963. I'm proposing
the inclusion of a Materials List ("The List") on all children's toy packaging.
I believe The List could have a two-fold effect:
1) The List would make parents aware of all the materials their children may be exposed to, and thus allow them to make more informed purchasing decisions.
2) The List would force manufacturers to make completely transparent all the materials used in their products - something not currently required.
Below is a summary, as communicated to our toy manufacturers. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you.
- Milanie Cleere
E-MAIL A COMMENT
Posted: September 2, 2007
Updated: September 7, 2007
Dear Toy Manufacturer,
To help parents and caregivers quickly understand what materials and chemicals they may be exposing their children to, I propose your company take the initiative to print a Materials List ("The List") on each product package.
In summary, The List would provide, in a standard and easily readable format, all materials used in the making of your products and information regarding which testing/safety marks are applicable.
I propose the following:
The List should be uniform in appearance, with large, easily readable text. I propose the following as an example for a common stuffed toy:
[LABEL DESIGN SPECS]: Font: Century Gothic, Color: Black, Border Size: 1 Pixel, Label: 18pt, Headers: 10pt, Copy: 12pt]
The List should be organized by materials used on or in the exterior and interior of the toy.
The List should include the amount of each chemical used as a percentage of the overall toy. Chemicals should be listed in descending order of use. Chemicals such as barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium should be bolded or highlighted.
The List should include details (if applicable but not limited to):
- The type of wood used
- The kind of metal screws are made of
- The type of finish used
- The type of thread used to sew the toy closed
- The type of fibers used to stuff the toy
- The composition of glue or adhesives
- The composition of dye, paint or stains
- For baby rattles with various parts, the type of material that holds the various parts together
The List should include testing information. There should be copy indicating which test(s) the product passed and in what year.
The List should appear on each and every product package. When this isn't feasible, there should be easily accessible information indicating where the toy's Materials List can be found.
I thank you for your consideration.
Kindest regards,
Milanie Cleere
CEO
Oompa Toys
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