ICTI certification intensifies the reshuffle of my country's toy industry

Not long ago, Wang Gang was transferred to the quality management department of Guangdong Audi Toys Industrial Co., Ltd. The first thing he had to do after taking office was to help his company pass the ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries Code of Business Conduct) certification, which is also the only way for domestic toy companies to enter the international market.

Domestic toy companies have been implementing ICTI certification since 2002. By the end of December 2006, among the more than 8,000 toy manufacturers in China, 1,023 had applied for ICTI certification, and 668 had passed the review and received the certification. However, major foreign toy buyers said that they would no longer place orders with companies that have not obtained ICTI certification from January 1, 2006. This means that without ICTI certification, they cannot enter the international market and cannot get orders.

It is reported that international buyers' orders are generally not "assigned" to toy export companies that have not passed ICTI, and such companies can only receive orders from upstream companies. This puts those companies that have not passed the certification under the dual pressure of price cuts and reduced orders, and their living space is shrinking.

Moreover, ICTI certification is necessary for social responsibility, employee welfare and corporate competitiveness. Because for enterprises, certification can not only avoid buyers from repeatedly "checking factories" with the same standards, but also improve corporate image, improve business management, improve production environment, stabilize employee emotions, etc.

Therefore, toy manufacturers that do not obtain this certification face the risk of international toy buyers canceling or withdrawing orders. This is an earthquake in the toy export industry, which to some extent continues the technical barriers set by Europe, the United States and Japan for toys. Some small factories with unqualified production processes will face elimination, and toy companies will face a major reshuffle.