Toy Association Leads Global Industry Discussions at Annual ICTI Meeting

June 21, 2024 | The Toy Association’s Ed Desmond, executive vice president of global government & regulatory affairs, led the International Council of Toy Industries’ (ICTI) three-day annual general meeting of members in Beijing earlier this month.

Discussions were a testament to the collaborative spirit of the global toy community, covering a wide range of topics from global initiatives to promote the value of play worldwide, like the UN’s International Day of Play, to seeking greater global alignment of toy safety standards, to environmental sustainability topics. Each nation also provided status reports on the condition of their markets, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and progress.

Speakers included Frederique Tutt, vice president & global industry advisor of toys at Circana, who delivered the annual ICTI Global Market Report, and Christian Wetterberg, senior director of product safety & compliance at The LEGO Group, who presented an update on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) activities and the role of the ISO Toy Secretariat. In addition, May Liang, president of the China Toy & Juvenile Products Association, led a session on the China toy market, which included additional speakers from Hape Holding AG, Kidsland International Holdings Ltd., the Ministry of Commerce, and POP MART International Group.

“Our participation in global gatherings, like ICTI’s annual general meeting, allows us to connect with the worldwide toy community, discuss challenges, and troubleshoot solutions,” said Desmond. “The continually changing regulatory environments in different markets, and the necessity for harmonization of international standards, demand our ongoing attention. From holding discussions on toy safety and the ongoing challenges posed by counterfeit toys, to exploring environmental sustainability topics, emerging issues, and more, we are helping to drive progress for the global toy industry.”

The Toy Association™ is the secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI). Members may reach out to The Toy Association’s Ed Desmond with any questions.