KIDS INDIA MAGAZINE AUGUST 2018 - ISSUE V | Page 8

INDIAN TOY INDUSTRY:
A ROAD MAP TO THE FUTURE!
The Spielwarenmesse India staged a panel discussion
in New Delhi on 20th of July, where they provide the
representatives of the Indian toys and other children
related products industry with an exclusive insight
into Toy Safety Standards in India and marked the ap-
proach to the sixth edition of Kids India, scheduled to
take place from 4 to 6 September 2018. The discus-
sion focused on toy safety, which was followed with
interest by decision makers from international and
Indian toy manufacturers and retail sector. products and 100,000 novelties every year at the toy
fair and also see ourselves as an information platform
and a multiplier for the toy industry. It is the concen-
trated task of manufacturers, trade associations,
buyers and the respective government to set stan-
dards that would be globally valid. Everyone should
do their part to make the world safer for our children -
regardless of their origin. Toys must be high-quality,
safe and affordable and, of course, have a high value
of play.”
The event was presided by Vivek Jhangiani, Director,
The All India Toy Manufacturers Association (TAITMA),
Director, ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries,
Chairman, Toy Committee FICCI. He and the panelists
– comprising leaders from the toy industry, accredita-
tion bodies and testing laboratories – demonstrated
that manufacturers and retailers of repute had already
taken steps to adopt practices that guarantee mar-
ket-safe and high-quality products. There is general
consensus in the industry that strict guidelines for
production and testing processes are essential for
raising the bar of safe toys. Similarly, the sector ac-
knowledges the need to educate consumers, particu-
larly parents, about what is safe by providing the right
information.
The discussion laid emphasis on the research, pro-
cesses, quality standards and safety protocols re-
quired to create innovative toys that offer a balanced
mix of learning and fun. Ernst Kick, CEO, Spielwaren-
messe eG, stated: “First and foremost, it is in the hands
of the exhibitors to bring safe toys to the market. We
are well aware of the responsibility of hosting a million Vivek Jhangiani Director, The All India Toy Manufac-
turers Association (TAITMA) says, “We work to spread
awareness among parents, especially about the prod-
ucts that are safe for children. We are insisting that all
packaging mention the chemicals and plastics used
in the product and detail the design and quality of
toys. We are also educating retailers about safe toys
and safety guards that they should pass on to the cus-
tomer.”
Page 06 | Kids India Mag Issue V : August 2018
Almost 90 percent of toys in India are imported; only
10 percent are locally made which is why we cannot
compete with pricing because we prize our safety
inputs, “says Jhangiani which is why the industry is
trying to create a platform for home- grown products.
We see ourselves as an information platform and a
multiplier for the toy industry, “he adds.
“It is a very exciting time for the Indian toy industry
right now and we are glad to support the sector on
their way to a successful future by providing different
platforms like Panel Discussions, Networking events