TIA Participates in UN Environmental Program Meetings in Brazil

“Chemicals in Products” Program Evolves into Information-Sharing Platform for Various Industries, Including Toys

February 28, 2017 | Toy Industry Association (TIA) staff participated in two UN Environmental Program Meetings in Brazil held recently, meeting with local toy regulators and representatives across various industries to discuss best practices in chemical management programs.

“A positive outcome from one of the meetings was the decision to migrate the UN Environmental Chemicals in Products (CiP) Program into an information-sharing platform where various industries can share details on the programs they already have in place, allowing others to use these best practices in designing their own programs,” says Alan Kaufman, TIA senior vice president of technical affairs and member of the CiP steering group. “This new approach is a great advantage for the global toy industry and other industries that work diligently to bring safe products to market.”

Kaufman also spoke at the SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management) Intersessional meeting, representing toys as a “downstream” sector (i.e.: one that is not involved in producing the chemicals themselves). He argued for a multi-stakeholder process focused on basic chemicals management and highlighted current toy industry efforts, including TIA Environmental Sustainability Committee guidelines regarding best environmental practices, available to TIA members.

While in Brazil, TIA met with Brazilian and U.S. government officials to discuss recent changes to toy regulations and conformity assessment procedures in Brazil.

“Our discussions were quite positive, as we discussed regulatory proposals that may negatively impact toys,” adds Kaufman. “We will be following up with Brazilian regulators and working closely with them in the future.”

Questions about the Association’s work in monitoring global regulatory and legislative issues, and other international matters of interest to the toy industry, may be directed to TIA’s Alan Kaufman.