Business & Human Rights : International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)

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Main Content: International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)

International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) website: www.toy-icti.org

The International Council of Toy Industries consists of toy trade associations from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. (See the ICTI member list.) "The health and safety of children throughout the world is the driving force behind ICTI, which promotes international toy safety standards and a responsible attitude to advertising and marketing to children."

The ICTI has adopted a Code of Business Practices.

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Title: K’NEX Links International Council of Toy Industries to Sweatshop Sesame Street Toys Made at the Abusive Kai Da Factory in China

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: K’NEX Links International Council of Toy Industries to Sweatshop Sesame Street Toys Made at the Abusive Kai Da Factory in China

Author: National Labor Committee [USA]
Dated: 11 Aug 2008

In July, K’NEX admitted to having a nine year “partnership” with the Kai Da / Hoida Factory in Shenzhen…K’NEX President, Michael Araten, responding to an inquiry by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center wrote: “We contract with the Hoida factory in Shenzhen to manufacture and assemble products. Hoida (Kai Da) is ICTI certified (International Council of Toy Industries) and has participated in the ICTI care program since its inception in 2003.” …Obviously, their monitoring efforts failed...

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: K'NEX Sesame Street Workers in China Win Sunday Off, a 16 Percent Wage Increase, and Have Their Hours Cut Nearly in Half!

Author: National Labor Committee [USA]
Dated: 12 Aug 2008

Title: In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay

Author: David Barboza, New York Times
Dated: 05 Jan 2008

Nearly a decade after some of the most powerful companies in the world — often under considerable criticism and consumer pressure — began an effort to eliminate sweatshop labor conditions in Asia, worker abuse is still commonplace in many of the Chinese factories that supply Western companies, according to labor rights groups. The groups say some Chinese companies routinely shortchange their employees on wages, withhold health benefits and expose their workers to dangerous machinery and harmful chemicals, like lead, cadmium and mercury... In December, two...N.G.O.’s documented what they said were abuse and labor violations at 15 factories that produce or supply goods for Wal-Mart — including the use of child labor at Huanya Gifts... Wal-Mart officials say they are investigating the allegations... A spokesman for Huanya...denied that the company broke any labor laws... “The factories have improved immeasurably over the past few years,” says Alan Hassenfeld, chairman of the toy maker Hasbro and co-chairman of Care, the ethical-manufacturing program of the International Council of Toy Industries. “But let me be honest: there are some bad factories..." [also refers to Dell, Walt Disney]

Title: [PDF] Grievance Mechanisms for Business and Human Rights: Strengths, Weaknesses and Gaps

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Grievance Mechanisms for Business and Human Rights: Strengths, Weaknesses and Gaps

Author: Caroline Rees, Research Fellow, Corp. Social Responsibility Initiative, Kennedy School of Govt., Harvard Univ.
Dated: Jan 2008

...[T]here is...a growing body of extrajudicial mechanisms in the business and human rights arena to which complainants can take their concerns. This paper aims to provide an assessment of some of the strengths and weaknesses of this group of mechanisms and the gaps they leave uncovered. The analysis is based on a mixture of background research and consultations with...[those who have] experience of these mechanisms in practice.

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Corporations and Human Rights: Accountability Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints and Disputes - Report of 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Workshop

Author: hosted by Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Govt., Kennedy School of Govt., Harvard Univ.
Dated: 19-20 Nov 2007

Title: [PDF] Mapping Grievance Mechanisms in the Business & Human Rights Arena

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Mapping Grievance Mechanisms in the Business & Human Rights Arena

Author: Caroline Rees & David Vermijs, Research Fellows, Corp. Social Responsibility Initiative, Kennedy School of Govt., Harvard Univ.
Dated: Jan 2008

This paper sets out in summary form a range of existing grievance mechanisms from a variety of different contexts, whether industry or multi-industry, national, regional or international, private or public, based in law or voluntary standards. The aim here is to describe the mechanisms as factually as possible in order to provide a platform for further analysis as to how effective these mechanisms are and how well they are implemented in practice... [company-level mechanisms profiled: BP Azerbaijan (BTC pipeline), Gap, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Xstrata Copper]

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Corporations and Human Rights: Accountability Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints and Disputes - Report of 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Workshop

Author: hosted by Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Govt., Kennedy School of Govt., Harvard Univ.
Dated: 19-20 Nov 2007

Title: [PDF] Meaningful Change: Raising the Bar in Supply Chain Workplace Standards

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Meaningful Change: Raising the Bar in Supply Chain Workplace Standards

Author: Prepared by Roseann Casey for John Ruggie, Consultation on Business and Human Rights, Bangkok, Thailand
Dated: June 24 – 26, 2006

An important dialogue is underway regarding the effectiveness and accountability of programs to monitor and correct human rights abuses in the workplace. Initiatives established to address these issues in factories along supply chains include company codes of conduct, workplace standards, industry initiatives, multi-stakeholder initiatives, accreditation programs, and advocacy campaigns for workers’ rights. While these initiatives have been undertaken with the intent to identify, verify and remediate workers’ rights abuses, current expectations have moved beyond compliance and remediation to aspirations for sustainable change and continuous improvement in supply chain management based on local and international law, established norms and standards, economic and social incentives, improved management systems, and market competitiveness...EICC, ETI, FLA, ICTI, SA8000, and WRAP were chosen for review because they have emerged as key initiatives within and among these industries...[also refers to Nike, Reebok (part of Adidas), Adidas]

Title: Fabricantes de juguetes impulsan principios éticos

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Visit: Fabricantes de juguetes impulsan principios éticos

Author: El Financiero [México]
Dated: 4 junio 2006

El Consejo Internacional de Industrias Jugueteras (ICTI, en sus siglas en inglés)...impulsará el Código Deontológico de Buenas Prácticas, por el que deben certificarse todas las industrias internacionales para poder comercializar sus productos...la certificación...significa gestionar sus fábricas de juguetes de forma legal, segura y saludable. Esto implica que se mantienen los principios de que sus miembros no utilizarán ningún menor, trabajador forzado o preso; que no se niega trabajo a nadie por razón de sexo, raza, religión, afiliación o asociación, y que las fábricas cumplen con las leyes de protección al medioambiente...todas las empresas que suministran materiales a los miembros de ICTI también deben adherirse a estos principios.

Title: Alliances heed antitrust traps

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Visit: Alliances heed antitrust traps

Author: Sarah Murray, Financial Times
Dated: 05 Jan 2006

Companies that want to foster responsible business practices might be surprised to learn that they must also be careful not to breach the law. Joint initiatives to tackle environmental and social risks are emerging in a widening range of industries, from tea and coffee to jewellery and clothing. In the electronics sector, for example, leading companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell and IBM are together launching an industry code of conduct for suppliers. Big brands such as Mattel and Hasbro have also said their suppliers must now meet jointly agreed standards set out by the International Council of Toy Industries. The idea is to pool valuable experience and to reduce the inefficiencies created when swarms of auditors are sent out by different companies to monitor conditions in the same factories. Many companies have also recognised that their ability to change suppliers' practices is limited when acting alone. However, while the ultimate objective of industry-wide programmes is to improve conditions in the places from which companies source their goods, their collaborative nature means they and their advisers must pay attention to competition legislation. Certainly, when it comes to one recent trend - for companies in an industry to group together to address labour and environmental conditions - they must pay attention to how such collaborations might be viewed by antitrust regulators...Although the motivation behind these new industry collaborations has nothing to do with price fixing or market manipulation, technically there is the potential for the law to interpret otherwise, particularly as some of the sustainability programmes encourage the purchase of sustainably produced commodities...If competition issues have been addressed early on, however, antitrust legislation should not provide barriers to collaborative ventures in corporate responsibility, says Mr Rudolph. "These initiatives are all extremely pro-consumer and pro-efficiency," he says. "They just need to be thorough in their approach to demonstrating that they are not creating competitive concerns and be aware of the traditional risks that are associated with competitors getting together." [also refers to Kraft Foods (part of Altria)]

Title: [PDF] Statement from BRIO [in response to SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage" on labour conditions in China]

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Statement from BRIO [in response to SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage" on labour conditions in China]

Author: BRIO
Dated: 13 Jun 2005

...BRIO has a longstanding commitment to produce and market products that are manufactured under lawful, safe, healthy and respectful conditions. BRIO expects all its product suppliers to adhere to the same principles...beginning 1st January 2006; compliance with the ICTI CARE process will be a requirement for being a product supplier to BRIO.

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: Toy industry tricked - New report reveals serious violations of workers’ rights in Chinese toy factories

Author: SwedWatch & Fair Trade Center
Dated: 02 Jun 2005

Title: Toy industry tricked - New report reveals serious violations of workers’ rights in Chinese toy factories

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: Toy industry tricked - New report reveals serious violations of workers’ rights in Chinese toy factories

Author: SwedWatch & Fair Trade Center
Dated: 02 Jun 2005

Eight out of nine Chinese toy suppliers investigated in a new report by Fair Trade Center and SwedWatch are in breach of both national legislation and international conventions on workers’ rights. Seven out of the nine suppliers have systematically been cheating during social audits. The International Council of Toy Industries is now working on a global initiative to tackle these problems, but according to the new report, this initiative is not addressing the underlying causes. [refers to Disney, Wal-Mart, Mattel]

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: company website: Coop (Sweden) [part of Coop Norden]

Author:

List item: 2

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Statement from BRIO [in response to SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage" on labour conditions in China]

Author: BRIO
Dated: 13 Jun 2005

List item: 3

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [DOC] Response sent to Business & Human Rights Resource Centre following on from the English release of the “Easy to Manage” report by SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center

Author: Åke Natt och Dag, Environmental Manager, Coop Norden
Dated: 21 Jun 2005

List item: 4

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] [Updated company response from TOP-TOY on labour conditions in toy factories in China following release of English version of SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage"]

Author: Lars Goerup, TOP-TOY
Dated: 15 Jun 2005

List item: 5

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] Appendix: Comment from Top Toy [scroll to p. 69]

Author: TOP-TOY
Dated: 28 Sep 2004

List item: 6

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] "'Easy to manage'- A report on Chinese toy workers and the responsibility of the companies"

Author: Kristina Bjurling, SwedWatch
Dated: Eng. translation May 2005, original report in Swedish Oct 2004

Title: [PDF] full report: Labour Standards in China, The Business and Investment Challenge

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: [PDF] full report: Labour Standards in China, The Business and Investment Challenge

Author: Dr. Stephen Frost, ASrIA - Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia
Dated: Dec 2002

[refers to loopholes in local labour laws, difficulties in enforcing third party verification, influence of the All-China Confederation of Free Trade Unions] [summary can be downloaded from webpage]

List item: 1

link status: ok (opens outside this page)
Visit: press release: ASrIA releases first comprehensive report on labour standards in China

Author: ASrIA - Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia
Dated: 17 Dec 2002

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)

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Title: K’NEX Links International Council of Toy Industries to Sweatshop Sesame Street Toys Made at the Abusive Kai Da Factory in China

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Title: In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay

Title: [PDF] Grievance Mechanisms for Business and Human Rights: Strengths, Weaknesses and Gaps

List item: 1

Title: [PDF] Mapping Grievance Mechanisms in the Business & Human Rights Arena

List item: 1

Title: [PDF] Meaningful Change: Raising the Bar in Supply Chain Workplace Standards

Title: Fabricantes de juguetes impulsan principios éticos

Title: Alliances heed antitrust traps

Title: [PDF] Statement from BRIO [in response to SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage" on labour conditions in China]

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Title: Toy industry tricked - New report reveals serious violations of workers’ rights in Chinese toy factories

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Title: [PDF] full report: Labour Standards in China, The Business and Investment Challenge

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Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)

Page Content Navigation

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Alternative Site Languages

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Main Content: International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)

Search Summary

Link Explanation

Link Results

Title: K’NEX Links International Council of Toy Industries to Sweatshop Sesame Street Toys Made at the Abusive Kai Da Factory in China

List item: 1

Title: In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay

Title: [PDF] Grievance Mechanisms for Business and Human Rights: Strengths, Weaknesses and Gaps

List item: 1

Title: [PDF] Mapping Grievance Mechanisms in the Business & Human Rights Arena

List item: 1

Title: [PDF] Meaningful Change: Raising the Bar in Supply Chain Workplace Standards

Title: Fabricantes de juguetes impulsan principios éticos

Title: Alliances heed antitrust traps

Title: [PDF] Statement from BRIO [in response to SwedWatch and Fair Trade Center report "Easy to Manage" on labour conditions in China]

List item: 1

Title: Toy industry tricked - New report reveals serious violations of workers’ rights in Chinese toy factories

List item: 1

List item: 2

List item: 3

List item: 4

List item: 5

List item: 6

Title: [PDF] full report: Labour Standards in China, The Business and Investment Challenge

List item: 1

See also: Categories

Send us comments & suggested additions

Search Area

Library Navigation

Weekly Updates (Free)

Page Extras and footer content

Footnote

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