Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the American toy industry is that it continues to be product driven. With children ultimately steering the industry, the next big toy may come from an established toy company or a small manufacturer with a very big idea. That is what keeps this industry electric. Walk the halls of Toy Fair and you'll see history in the making. Before I give you my predictions about 1998, I would like to take a moment to mention a few of the many accomplishments engineered by the toy industry association, Toy Manufacturers of America, and its members since last Toy Fair.
Toy safety is a top priority for toy manufacturers.
Consumer education on toy safety is part of the industry's commitment to protecting children through play. Safe working conditions have been a topic of discussion over the last several years. The toy industry stepped to the forefront of this issue by introducing an expanded Code of Business Practices last December. The expanded Code includes appendices designed to not only monitor the operating practices in factories worldwide, but also educate them on ways to improve current conditions. More and more, businesses, institutions and consumers alike are turning to the Internet as a source of information.