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ICON DECODER

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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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Vehicles

The Guide > Toys > Toys > Vehicles 

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
Micro Chargers  Moose Toys   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Bruder  Bruder   GER  No rating3
Bigtime  Jada Toys   (Simba Dickie Group) GER  No rating3
Lanard  Lanard   HKG  No rating3
Maisto  May Cheong Group   CHN  No rating3
EZTEC  Scientific Toys   HKG  No rating3
Mighty Wheels  Soma International   HKG  No rating3
Express Wheels  Suntoys International   HKG  No rating3
Tonka  Basic Fun!  
Brand Owner: Hasbro  
USA  Criticism, some praise5
BRIO  BRIO   (Ravensburger) GER  Criticism, some praise5
Hot Wheels  Mattel Australia   (Mattel) USA  Criticisms6
Matchbox  Mattel Australia   (Mattel) USA  Criticisms6
Thomas & Friends  Mattel Australia   (Mattel) USA  Criticisms6
Air Hogs  Spin Master   CAN  Criticisms6
Monster Jam  Spin Master   CAN  Criticisms6
Paw Patrol  Spin Master   CAN  Criticisms6
AFX  TOMY International   (TOMY) JPN  Criticisms6
John Deere  TOMY International   (TOMY) JPN  Criticisms6
TOMY  TOMY International   (TOMY) JPN  Criticisms6



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