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The Toy Association

We focus on the issues that matter most, from toy safety and trade to sustainability and supply chain integrity.

Safety

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The toy industry’s No. 1 priority.

Toy safety is at the heart of what we do. From initial concept to final product for sale at retail, safety is built into every toy during each step of the production process. We work alongside members, regulators, medical experts, and safety professionals to uphold some of the strongest standards in the world. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission consistently ranks toys among the safest of 15 consumer product categories found in the home.

Every day, we’re working to keep play safe, so kids can do what they do best: just play.

Leading Global Safety Standards
U.S. toymakers follow a mandatory set of safety rules and regulations under ASTM F963 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, created under ASTM International. Since 1986, it’s been considered the gold standard in toy safety and is emulated around the globe. The Toy Association leads the multi-stakeholder committee that continually reviews the standard to ensure that it keeps pace with child development research, medical and toy-related incident data, risk assessment techniques, science, and manufacturing innovations.

Consumer Education
Our consumer website, PlaySafe.org, empowers parents and caregivers with expert guidance on every aspect of toy and play safety — from selecting age-appropriate toys to the importance of adult-supervised play. The site offers videos, safety tips, and resources to help families make informed choices and feel confident about the toys in their homes.

Industry Leadership
We work year-round to share the toy industry’s safety commitment with policymakers, regulators, and the media. Whether responding to misinformation, launching initiatives like Toy Safety Awareness Month, or advocating for fair, science-based regulation, The Toy Association is as a trusted voice for safety in every conversation that affects our industry.
For more information about toy safety and safe play, contact Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s “Toy Safety Mom” and senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs.

Chemicals

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Comply with Confidence

The Toy Association™ supports chemical safety laws that are grounded in science, consistent across jurisdictions, and practical for businesses to implement. As states adopt their own chemical disclosure and restriction requirements, our role is to ensure these policies remain focused on protecting children, without creating unnecessary or overlapping compliance burdens for toy companies.

We advocate for harmonized, evidence-based regulations. By engaging directly with lawmakers and regulators, we help shape policies that reflect the realities of product testing, global supply chains, and existing federal standards. Our team also provides members with the tools and updates they need to stay compliant in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

We are currently tracking and advocating on chemical legislation and disclosure rules in the following states:

For more information, contact Charlotte Hickcox, The Toy Association’s director of state government affairs.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

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The ABCs of EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that shifts the cost and responsibility of managing product packaging waste from municipalities to producers. Under EPR laws, companies are required to pay into programs that help fund local recycling and waste management systems based on the type and volume of packaging they place into a given market. These programs are rapidly expanding across the U.S., and toy companies must be prepared to comply with new reporting requirements and deadlines.

Companies that sell or distribute products with packaging into states with EPR legislation are considered a “producer” under law, and will be required to register, report packaging data, and contribute financially to support municipal recycling programs. These fees are calculated based on packaging type, material, and recyclability.

The Toy Association™ is actively advocating on EPR legislation and working to keep members informed as state programs take shape. We continue to engage with policymakers to ensure that EPR programs are consistent across states. While we do not oversee compliance, we regularly update members on deadlines and developments.

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has been designated as the producer responsibility organization (PRO) in several states and serves as the best resource for technical questions and compliance support. Members may reach CAA directly at producer.support@circularaction.org or by visiting circularactionalliance.org.

States That Have Enacted EPR Laws for Packaging:

Each state’s program differs in scope, reporting requirements, and implementation timelines. While some are still drafting rules, others have already established firm deadlines for producer registration, reporting, and fee payment.

For more information, contact Charlotte Hickcox, The Toy Association’s director of state government affairs.

Trade & Tariffs

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Your Voice in Trade & Tariff Policy

Trade policy plays a significant role in the global toy industry, impacting sourcing, production, pricing, and distribution. The Toy Association™ actively monitors global trade developments and supply chain conditions that affect how toys are made, moved, and sold.

We actively advocate for policies that support a healthy toy marketplace at home and around the world. With more than 85 percent of toys sold in the U.S. imported from overseas, international trade is essential to our industry’s supply chain, innovation, and ability to bring affordable products to American families.

The Toy Association works year-round to engage with lawmakers, international partners, and industry coalitions to ensure our members’ voices are heard. We also track developments across the broader supply chain, including shipping, port activity, and rail operations.

We provide members with timely updates and guidance to help them understand how any policy changes may affect their businesses. Our focus is on helping companies stay informed, navigate the regulatory landscape, and engage with policy developments through accurate, up-to-date information. The Toy Association works closely with aligned organizations to amplify our message and advocate for policies that promote open markets and reduce regulatory burdens.

#KeepToysTariffFree
The Toy Association is working with associations around the world to reaffirm the industry’s commitment to keeping toys tariff-free. The statement is a united call for toys to be excluded from all tariffs as the U.S. and its trading partners work to renegotiate better trade deals. Together with support from associations around the globe, The Toy Association is advocating to exclude toys from tariffs, noting previously established guidelines through the 1994 Uruguay General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that have long recognized the essential nature of toys.

Reach out to Kathrin Belliveau, chief policy officer at The Toy Association, for more information.