B) A certificate of conformance from the manufac-
turer that representative sample of toys being im-
ported have been tested by an independent labora-
tory which is accredited by NABL (National Accredi-
tation Board for Testing and Calibration Laborato-
ries- an autonomous body under the aegis of De-
partment of Science & Technology, Government of
India, and is registered under the Societies Act. It is
only one of its kinds that assess laboratories in India
for quality and consistency in the results), India and
found to meet the specifications indicated above.
Complaints and concerns were raised by many about
the poor quality of toys made in China flooding the
Indian market forcing the government to bring the first
policy guideline on the quality certification require-
ment for import of toys from China in the year 2009.
Subsequently this quality certification requirement
was extended for import of toys from all countries in
January 2010. The change in the policy in 2017, made
it mandatory to have all toy imports tested and certi-
fied for Indian standards by a lab accredited by an
Indian agency (NABL). EN71 and ASTM quality certifi-
cates are no more approved quality certificates for
import of toys to India.
There can be many reasons for the government to
bring mandatory testing for Indian standards by ac-
credited labs by Indian an agency. One reason can be
loss of credibility of certificates issued by non-accred-
ited labs. Another possible reason can be economical;
the growing toy imports from China and the growing
trade deficit over $50 billion with China can be a major
worry for the economic advisors. It is estimated that
80% of the toys sold in the country are imported and
95% of the imports are from China. Another reason can
be nationalism; the growing nationalist sentiments
across the globe and the clamor for supporting do-
mestic industry are felt in India also. This being deter-
rent for imports can be seen as a step towards helping
domestic industry.
The legislation made it difficult and costly to import
toys to India. Small traders who import non branded
toys found it difficult to do business. Similarly small toy
companies from other countries also will find it diffi-
cult to export toys to India. Toys are large in variety and
number. Every single toy requires testing and certifi-
cation which will be time consuming and costly. The
high cost of imports to India will be a deterrent for un-
branded toy manufacturers and their importers.
Initially all toy importers found it difficult to get the
tests done due to the limited number of NABL ap-
proved labs. Subsequently more number of labs was
approved by NABL helping the trade to get test certi-
fication faster.
For companies like ours, Funskool (India) Ltd, who not
only manufacture a lot of toys of Hasbro, Tomy etc but
also imports a large number toys of reputed brands
like Siku, Revensburger, Schleich, Leap Frog, playmo-
bil etc; the biggest challenge was to decide what toys
to continue to import and what toys to discontinue.
Some brands like Schleich have very niche products
which will sell only in up markets of Mumbai and Delhi
in limited numbers. T heir sales volume will not justify
testing costs. But at the same time we have our retail
stores where we have spent money on branding these
toys to make and grow them big. A very difficult phase
of toy business all are passing through.
As stated in the beginning, safety of toys are a major
concern for all and every country has their own quality
standards and specific requirements for toys, which
adds avoidable additional costs to the toy businesses
which are finally born by the toy consumers, the chil-
dren. Toys are developmental aids for children; hence
deserves preferential treatment from all. Considering
the fact that children are the consumers, govern-
ments across the globe should work towards making
toys affordable. The first step towards this end will be
making one quality standard acceptable to the whole
world. Quality standard followed by the entire Europe-
an Union and UK, EN71 can be a possible contender
for the title of world toy standards.
Bibliography:
1. DGFT notifications
2. Research study on Productivity & Competitiveness of
Toy Manufacturing Sector in India- by National
Productivity Council- September 2017.
Author: John Baby
On the positive side, the legislation is expected to
help in improving quality standards of imported toys in
the Indian market.
Kids India Mag Issue IV : June 2018 | Page 07