UPDATE: TIA's Member Code of Conduct

Return This Pledge to Show Support for Toy Industry Ethics

By Alison Marek
July 2007

As reported in prior issues of TDmonthly Magazine, an ad-hoc committee co-chaired by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (aka Dr. Toy), and Marshall P. Gavin (b. dazzle, inc.), has worked assiduously over the last three years to develop a code of ethics for members of the toy industry. Recently, the Toy Industry Association approved a TIA Member Code of Conduct.

The Code "was formally adopted by our Board after extensive analysis and hard work examining the codes of other organizations," Carter Keithley, president of the TIA, told TDmonthly. "We believe it is a worthwhile statement of principles that will encourage our members to be mindful of ethical conduct in their businesses."

"We have worked hard over the past three years to make a difference in the toy industry," commented Dr. Auerbach. "Finally, this has been achieved."

Although Gavin believes the Code is "an important step in the right direction," he told TDmonthly that "TIA's equivocating preamble and its unwillingness to require that a commitment to its Code of Conduct be a condition of membership and of trade show participation is very disappointing and ... a missed opportunity to really take a stand for ethical conduct by its members and exhibitors that would make a difference in the way business is conducted."

According to the preamble to the pledge, there will be no "policing action" by the TIA against members who do not adhere to the code. The TIA also strongly urges companies to adopt their own internal codes "to assure the highest standards of conduct in their affairs."

Signed copies of the Pledge should be returned to the TIA. A list of companies who have adopted the Pledge will be posted on the trade organization's website. In addition, said Keithley, the TIA is considering the development of a logo or seal that indicates adoption of the code.

The Pledge, reprinted below, should be signed and returned to:

Jean Butler
Vice President, Membership / TIF Executive Director
(646) 520-4865
jbutler@toy-tia.org

TOY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

I. Product Safety. To market only products that comply with applicable safety standards, exercise due diligence in regard to the safety of its products and take effective action to assure the safety of consumers when necessary.

II. Ethical Manufacturing. To comply with the Code of Business Practices of the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) to ensure the operation of toy factories in a lawful, safe and healthful manner and to support the ICTI CARE process by purchasing products from compliant suppliers.

III. Intellectual Property. To recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of others.

IV. Advertising and Marketing. To assure that its advertising and marketing, in whatever form, is truthful and conforms with established codes and guidelines.

V. Environmental Protection. To practice good stewardship of the environment by working to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and products through the promotion of pollution reduction and recycling where appropriate.

VI. Non-Discrimination. To treat its employees, suppliers, customers and business associates with fairness, respect and dignity and without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender, age or sexual orientation.

VII. Business Practices. To practice honesty and integrity in all business dealings and be truthful and avoid misrepresentations in all statements.

TIA MEMBER PLEDGE

As a member of the Toy Industry Association, our company pledges that it will endeavor to adhere to the principles contained in the Association’s MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT in its business affairs and will encourage conformance with the principles by all of its employees.

Signed ___________________________________________________

Name ___________________________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________

Position __________________________________________________

Company _________________________________________________

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Read what more than 400 retailers have told TDmonthly about toys since 2005 in Toy-Store Owners Talk to TDmonthly.

Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. She recently completed a short comedy sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, titled "The Three-Body Solution." For the past four years, Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author

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