| Safety Standards |
Safety statements from the toy manufacturers we carry: Safety Statement from Jack Rabbit: Dear sales reps and customers - Per multiple requests, here is some information in regards to how we test our products and assure their safety. Firstly, the factory that makes our wooden toys makes only toys, and as such removes the risk of cross-contamination from other products. Secondly, the factory makes their own paints – eliminating the possibility of unknown foreign substances making their way onto our toys. Most importantly, we test every one of our products, every color of every paint and ink, to the age appropriate ASTM (US Safety Standards) testing requirements. All of our items meet or exceed the set standards, and we pass all the tests. Toxic Elements are part of these tests, which includes the lead level. On a personal note – we are a small company, we work with a respected agent in China that we have worked with for over 20 years and he is very aware of all the safety standards that need to be met before a product is shipped. We also work with smaller factories that don’t subcontract out their work. We are parents ourselves, and make sure that we are comfortable with and proud of everything we produce. We are very connected to what is going on with each and every one of our products. Test reports are on file in our offices and can be provided if necessary. Best, Erica and Jim Lancaster Co-owners Jack Rabbit Creations Safety Statement from Melissa and Doug: Dear Valued Customer - Yes, we definitely appreciate and understand your concern. Please be assured, we test for lead VERY frequently. It's quite possible to make great quality children's items in China, which meet all safety regulations, but the key point is that you have to test and inspect very frequently to be sure that your factories are always following your instructions explicitly. I assure you that's exactly what we do. From our experience, the key to doing this correctly is not simply to insist that your factories follow your instructions, but then to go one step further and to AUDIT, INSPECT, AND TEST very frequently. That is the most important part of the process, and it's something our company has always taken VERY seriously. Thanks again for asking, and for your support also. Your Dedicated Customer Service Team Safety Statement from Schylling: Dear Friend of Schylling, Since we began selling toys more than 30 years ago, we have always taken safety very seriously. Quality and safety are of foremost importance to Schylling. Everyone who makes, sells, buys or plays with toys has taken notice and been affected by the recent large toy recalls. The presence of lead in the paint used to decorate the toys has been the largest reason for recalls, but not the only one. I want to assure everyone that our toys are safe. We have our toys tested by independent testing labs to the very strict standards established by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). In addition to heavy metals, like lead, our toys are also tested for small parts that can cause choking hazards, sharp points, etc. We enforce very strict standards with our manufacturers in China. In light of the recent recalls, as an industry and a nation, we need to insist to our Chinese partners that any use of lead is unacceptable. We will not tolerate it in our products and will cease doing business with companies that do not wholeheartedly agree with us. I hope the recent recalls will inspire all companies to take a deeper look at their testing procedures. Schylling is lending its voice to an appeal to the Chinese government to eliminate this problem once and for all. The best way to do this is for China to ban the production of lead paint - something the US government did 30 years ago. When we started making toys in China over ten years ago, it was difficult to get paint that was lead free and we had to import it from Germany. Now that China has become the toy factory to the world, it is time for them to embrace the standards of the rest of the world and make these standards their own. We think that the children's toys that will be enjoyed in the days and years ahead will be made to a higher standard. They may be a little more expensive, but this is a small price to pay. Your friends at Schylling |