ICTI Ethical Toy Program 18 Month ‘Class A Seal’ comes to an end

What’s happening?ICTI Ethical Toy Program regularly consultants with the toy brands, retailers, suppliers and factories that use our certification program to ensure it continually evolves to meet changing needs. Feedback from industry stakeholders has highlighted the need for greater transparency and more regular audit cycles in the ICTI Ethical Toy Program.Following discussions at the ICTI Ethical Toy Program Technical Advisory Council, we will be discontinuing the 18 Month Class A Seal as from 1st of April 2016. All suppliers who are certified to receive a Seal A from the 1st of April 2016 and onwards will switch to the usual 12-month audit cycle, which includes one Progress Audit (PA). What do I need to do?If you are factory and currently hold an 18 Month ‘Class A’ ICTI Ethical Toy Program Seal you can choose to opt out of the extended audit cycle and return to the usual 12-month Seal period. All suppliers who are certified to receive a Class A Seal from the 1st of April 2016 and onwards will switch to the normal 12-month audit cycle.If you currently have an 18-month Seal your Seal will still be valid till its expiry date, and nothing will change. But you will not be able to obtain another 18-month Seal from 1st April 2016 onwards.If you currently have a 12-month Seal your Seal status will remain the same. However, you will not be able to obtain an 18-month Seal from 1st April 2016 and onward regardless of eligibility. What are the benefits of the 12-month Seal?Meet your customers’ requirements and build trust – most toy brands/retailers expect a social compliance report for each 12-month periodDemonstrate your progress and commitment to social complianceProvide greater transparency on your compliance with customer’s responsible sourcing goalsA simplified, consistent Seal structure which is clearer for all users of the ICTI Ethical Toy ProgramWhen will this policy be implemented? Dec 2015 – 31 Mar 2016Dec 2015 – 31 Mar 20161 April 2016 and onwardCommunicate the update of this policy via ICTI Ethical Toy Program Website, Newsletter, Local Toy Associations in China and Training hosted by ICTI Ethical Toy ProgramICTI Ethical Toy Program still issue 18-month Seal to eligible suppliers, opt-out program is also availableICTI Ethical Toy Program will cease issuing 18-month Seal to all suppliers Should you have any enquiry about the update policy above, please contact our Factory Helpdesk via info@ethicaltoyprogram.org / (+852)21112462.