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As well as a new name, we will unveil the next generation of our Ethical Toy Program with an updated mission and strategy, a new membership model and a brand-new look and feel to deliver these exciting changes.

I recently had the privilege of speaking to the Toy Design class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Led by Judy Ellis, a 2013 Toy Hall of Fame Inductee, this first-of-its-kind program teaches the next generation of toy makers, designers, and inventors, providing them with the skills they need to create safe, socially responsible toys that entertain, educate, and inspire kids of all ages.

Closing date for applications: Friday 06 August 2021

The Welcome Pack provides a comprehensive introduction to the Ethical Toy Program Audit Process, clear guidance on how to get started, as well as tips and resources to help factories get the most out their certification.

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2019 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits or Progress Visit between January 28th 2019 through February 24th 2019 (1 week prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2020 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits or Progress Visits between January 13th, 2020 through February 16th, 2020 (2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2021 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits or Progress Visits between February 1st through February 28th, 2021 (2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2022 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits or Progress Visits between 17th Jan to 13th Feb 2022. (2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

Read our Q&A below to learn more about the Modern Slavery Act, understand the new disclosure requirements, and find out how you can use the Ethical Toy Program to demonstrate compliance with the legislation.

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2023 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits and Progress Visits from 9th Jan to 5th Feb 2023. (2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

In order to allow time for Chinese New Year 2024 celebrations, the Ethical Toy Program will instruct our accredited firms to not conduct audits and Progress Visits from 29th Jan to 25th Feb 2024. (2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after Chinese New Year).

In Australia, public consultation on new anti-slavery legislation concluded in October 2017. New anti-slavery laws were then recommended by the Australian parliamentary Committee, and a new anti-slavery Act is expected to pass in 2018 focussed on protecting people who are vulnerable to enslavement and tackling the forced labor risks in global supply chains.

“We extend a very warm welcome to our new Governing Board members and look forward to the knowledge and expertise they will bring to the Board,” said Carmel Giblin, President and CEO of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program. “As we build on the enhancements and developments we delivered to the Ethical Toy Program in 2018, our Board will be instrumental in supporting our growth plans as we extend our Buyer Membership Program and increase the number of Certified factories thereby benefitting even more workers.”

The study is benchmarking ICTI Ethical Toy Program against both industry-specific ethical manufacturing programs such as the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and larger multi-sector responsible sourcing programs such as Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI).

The four approved audit companies are ELEVATE, SGS, SCSA and UL. These firms are now accredited to conduct Ethical Toy Program audits.

The number one reason parents leave their children behind when they migrate for work is not having anyone to look after them when they are at work

My first six weeks at the ICTI Ethical Toy Program have been an eye-opening experience. Coming from a different manufacturing industry, I find the united nature of the toy industry to be amazing and quite unique from other product sectors I have worked in before. Many ICTI Ethical Toy Program certified factories have been in the industry for decades and the level of pride and dedication the owners and management have to their work and products is clear. It is exciting to see the passion from our stakeholders and how they are striving to further enhance the toy industry, and the ICTI Ethical Toy Program, to ensure we continue to respond to responsible sourcing challenges.

Asia Pacific is the world’s most rapidly developing market for toy sales, and Southeast Asia plays a crucial role in its growth. Southeast Asia’s population is over 625 million and set to grow to 717 million by 2030. In addition, their economies are growing fast, with aggregated GDP growth of 4.7% per annum.

· The updated, risk rated IETP Audit Checklist

The Remediation Program aims to elevate suppliers’ standards on social compliance management, reduce the number of audits needed, and empower them through effective technical support to resolve challenging issues permanently. The 9 and 12-month Remediation Programs offer targeted capability building support to suppliers as an alternative to the existing IETP Probation Program.