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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
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Arts & Crafts

The Guide > Toys > Toys > Arts & Crafts 

Toys & China

Many toys are produced in factories operating under sweatshop-like conditions. Despite protests, the industry continues to source toys from factories with documented labour and human rights violations.

Three-quarters of the world's toys are made in China. Working conditions have been improving, but serious labour violations continue. Toy workers have to work long days in the peak season without appropriate pay ' often for more than 80 hours a week ' well above China's legal limit. Many factories impose fines for refusing and other 'misdemeanours', such as missing a day's work or spending too long on a toilet break. The ICTI CARE Process is the toy industry's ethical manufacturing program aimed at ensuring safe and humane workplace environments for toy factory workers worldwide. However, this process has been criticised by labour rights organisations.   [The Guardian (Dec 2016)]
  • Toys last a lot longer than kids' interest in them so keep them moving around. Pass them on to family and friends (and tell everyone you're happy to get hand-me-downs as presents), join your local Freecycle, seek out used toy fairs, buy and sell used toys online or join a local toy library.
  • Choose Australian made toys, available at websites such as www.playtolearn.com.au, www.ecotoys.com.au, www.entropy.com.au, www.woodentoysaustralia.com.au   [More links ...]
  • Choose 'China-free' toys from companies such as Playmobil and Lego, who manufacture most of their products in Europe.
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Creativity for Kids  Faber-Castell Australia   (Faber-Castell) GER  Praises, no criticism1
Aqua Sand  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Beados  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Blingles  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Geleez  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Magic Fabric  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Classic Craft  Colorific   Australian Owned  No rating3
Colorific  Colorific   Australian Owned  No rating3
Dough Worx  Colorific   Australian Owned  No rating3
Face Art  Colorific   Australian Owned  No rating3
Wood Worx  Colorific   Australian Owned  No rating3
Plasticine  Flair   (Preziosi Group)
Dist: Colorific  
ITA  No rating3
Glitter Lava  Horizon Group USA   USA  No rating3
Play-Doh  Hasbro Australia   (Hasbro) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Girl Gourmet  Jakks Pacific   USA  Criticism, some praise5
String World  Jakks Pacific   USA  Criticism, some praise5
RoseArt  Mattel Australia   (Mattel) USA  Criticisms6
Kinetic Sand  Spin Master   CAN  Criticisms6



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