British Toy and Hobby Association
Each member of the BTHA must sign the following form:
I/We undertake to the best of my/our ability to uphold the prestige of the Association and to further its objects for the welfare of the membership and the good name of the industry and trade as a whole, to use our best endeavours to comply with the Association’s Vendor and Subcontractor Code of Conduct and declare my/our willingness to abide by the following code of practice as a condition of my/our membership of the Association:-
1. I/We agree to market only products that conform to BS5665/BS EN 71 and to exercise due diligence in regard to the safety of my/our products.
2. I/We agree to deal promptly with any enquiries as to the safety of my/our products and take effective action where appropriate; the Association will be notified immediately of any allegation by an enforcement authority that my/our products contravene the toy safety regulations.
3. I/We understand that a successful prosecution under the toy safety regulations will be regarded by the Association as a breach of this code and may render me/us liable to investigation under the BTHA complaints procedure.
4. I/We declare that I/we do not market counterfeit toys/hobbies and I/we understand that a judgement against me/us whether brought privately or otherwise for copyright or trade mark infringement may render me/us liable to investigation under the BTHA complaints procedure.
5. I/We undertake that all my/our advertising of toys in whatever form is legal, decent, honest and truthful and is in conformity with both the ITC's advertising code, which governs television and radio and the British Code of Advertising Practice which controls the majority of all other advertising.
6. I/We undertake that any toy gun, imitation or replica firearm modelled on a firearm designed or produced since 1898 is marked in accordance with the BTHA code for such product;
7. I/We understand that the Association reserves the right to refer breaches of this code to the independently constituted Complaints Committee which will report to the Council of the Association with recommendations as to the action to be taken;
8. I/We understand that wilful breaches of the code may lead to my/our expulsion from the Association, the denial of space at the British International Toy & Hobby Fair and the cancellation of the Lion Mark licence.
The members of the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) have long recognised that they have a duty to ensure lawful, fair, safe and healthy working conditions for those employed in the contract manufacture of toys. To discharge this duty, BTHA members use their best efforts to construct supply agreements and/or working arrangements with vendors which require and maintain such conditions. Specific matters on which BTHA members require vendors' compliance are as follows:-
The members of BTHA believe in the fair treatment and lawful compensation of workers. Accordingly, we believe that no forced, indentured or underage labour should be utilised to produce toys, wholly or in part. That means that employees must show up for work voluntarily, not be put at risk of harm and be fairly compensated all in accordance with the prevailing local laws. And we believe that due diligence should be exercised to ensure compliance.
Therefore, the BTHA Council recommends that, in those circumstances deemed appropriate, BTHA members will ensure:
a) That on site inspections be conducted regularly at all facilities used to produce toys and toys components, including the facilities of contractors and subcontractors, to determine whether any forced, indentured or underage labour is employed.
b) That contractors and subcontractors certify that no forced, indentured or underage workers are employed to produce goods, wholly or in part.
c) That, when appropriate, letters of credit include among the conditions of payment a certification by the supplier that no forced, indentured or underage labour was used to produce the covered merchandise or any parts thereof.
d) That contracts state the furnishing of merchandise made in whole or in part by forced, indentured or underage labour is a breach of contract for which the contract may be cancelled and damages assessed.
e) That contracts for merchandise not covered by a letter of credit require the presentation of a signed and dated certificate stating that no forced, indentured or underage labour was used to produce the covered merchandise or any parts thereof.
f) That local legislation on underaged labour is complied with in all cases.
The BTHA also believes that toys should be manufactured in a safe, hygienic working environment. Its members will, therefore, avoid using vendors where working conditions are unacceptably poor and will seek to ensure, principally through continuing dialogue with its vendors and an open attitude towards worker representation, that:
a) Factory working conditions are well ventilated, with comfortable, well lit work stations.
b) Fire exits are adequate and well identified and employees are trained for emergency evacuation, if required. The use of safety equipment and instruction should be emphasised.
c) Professional medical assistance should be available with specified employees trained for emergency needs.
d) Employee living quarters, food, clothing allowance or other provision should be adequate to meet the standards of the job.
e) Business will not be provided to supplier vendors who subject employees to unhealthy, unsafe conditions or employ unreasonable mental or physical disciplinary practices.
f) Vendors will be encouraged to establish education or training programmes for employees in basic health and hygiene.
BTHA members will also do their best to ensure that:-
a) All vendors and subcontractors comply with the national laws of the country in which the business is being conducted. Such legislation is to include, but is not limited to, building safety, fire code rules, employment standards, employee health and safety regulation.
b) Employee working hours should be governed by local standards but are not to be more than 60 hours per week for full-time employment. Each employee should have at least one day off during every 7 day working week.
c) Part-time or temporary employment will be governed by local and national regulations. Hours worked on a temporary basis should not exceed those for full employment.
d) Employees should be paid in accordance with local and/or national laws and will be paid overtime as earned in accordance with such legislation.
This code will be administered to direct contractors, who in turn will be required to supervise their subcontractors in the same terms.