Toy Association Leads Efforts to Amend Outdated Pennsylvania ‘Stuffed Toys’ Law

May 15, 2023 | The Toy Association is spearheading efforts, alongside three Pennsylvania senators, to amend the state's 1961 Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act. As currently written, the 62-year-old law requires all stuffed toys distributed and sold within Pennsylvania to be manufactured using new, virgin materials and therefore does not permit the use of recycled materials in stuffed toys.

After The Toy Association requested for the Pennsylvania legislature to update the law earlier this year, State Senators Devlin Robinson, John Kane, and Art Haywood wrote a memo to their colleagues seeking support for introducing legislation that would lift those restrictions.

“As manufacturing processes have evolved and consumer preferences have changed, the use of recycled materials in stuffed toys has become more prevalent,” the senators wrote in the memo. “Many manufacturers and retailers have set sustainability goals for their products, which can only be met by using recycled materials. Many consumers prefer to purchase items made from recycled materials to lessen their environmental footprint.”

The Association is actively working to support the senators’ efforts by educating members of the Pennsylvania legislature on the importance of this law change and how it will impact not only manufacturers and retailers in the state, but also those globally. In addition, The Toy Association has been in the media — including an appearance on FOX43 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and an interview in PennLive — to further educate consumers and garner support for the legislation.

The Toy Association will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation and will keep members apprised of new developments.