How To Choose Nontoxic Plastic Toys

How To Choose Nontoxic Plastic Toys

As a Disney Audit Plastic Factory,We would like to  inform  you little tips for how to to choose nontoxic plastic toys generally?

Turn that new plastic item over before you plunk down your cash.

Plastic products are labeled using the resin identification coding system developed by the SPI. To locate these codes, look for a single number surrounded by three chasing arrows that form a triangle, usually on the bottom of a plastic product. Here are the seven codes, as provided by the American Chemistry Council:

• Resin code 1: PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate, nicknamed polyester
• Resin code 2: HDPE: High Density Polyethylene
• Resin code 3: PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride, also called vinyl
• Resin code 4: LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene
• Resin code 5: PP: Polypropylene
• Resin code 6: PS: Polystryene
• Resin code 7: OTHER: This code is used to label products made with a resin not already categorized, or a combination of the resins listed above.

Those marked with a #3 are PVC plastic containing potentially harmful phthalates, and those marked with a #7 may contain polycarbonate plastic, which is made with dangerous Bisphenol A(BPA).

You can also check toy packaging for the label "ASTM." This label indicates that the American Society for Testing and Materials has found that the toy meets national safety standards, and therefore should not contain toxic chemicals

Relationship between toys industry and toys manufacturer in China

Toy manufacturers in China are famous for providing novelty products however they are the main suppliers of the toys industry worldwide. Why the toy industry’s relationship with Chinese manufacturers is unavoidable? Olivier, a European toys importer, kindly offered to explain us the situation.

China is an unavoidable sourcing destination for toys

From Olivier’s point of view, it is hard to say if the European consumers have a bad image on the toys manufactured in China. In any case, it is the most suitable country to manufacture toys.

In Europe, there are no more factories able to produce such kind of products. In addition labor cost and tax levels are too high compared to China. All together, those conditions make China the leader in toy manufacturing.

Strengths of toy manufacturers in China

• Chinese manufacturers are flexible, this is an important skill and part of their competitive advantage.
• China is a one stop-shop. You find it all, in one place. There is a wide choice of potential partners: many toy factories. Plush and plastic toy factories are mainly located in the Guangdong province, while wooden toys factories are located in Zheijiang province. Both provinces are very convenient with good logistics infrastructure.
• In the toy industry, toy importers have to respect a lot of standards and regulations. In China they found that toy suppliers are sensitive to it. Professional Chinese factories are manufacturing good quality products, in compliance with the toys safety regulations. That’s why they remain the leaders!

Weaknesses of toy manufacturers in China

Other than QC, there is very little to say about it. The main issue faced during the last few years by Olivier is the lack of labor. The factories are often short in workers. It has a direct consequence on the quality and the delivery lead-times. The most recurrent quality issues that hardly improve with the time relate to:

• Finishing
• Colors
• Weight
• Material
• Production delays

That’s the reason why even with regular suppliers, it is compulsory to regularly inspect the toys manufactured in Chinese factories. Olivier ensures that with a serious and regular quality control of the productions, he keeps the quality level as expected.

And you: what is your point of view about toy manufacturers in China?