The Toy Retailers Association is the voice of toy retailers in the UK.

Founded in 1950, the organisation promotes the role of the toy retailer and the value of toys to the consumer.

It represents more than 75% of the toy trade, informing and advising members on current and future legislation, as well as ethical practices in respect of toy safety, requirements under the Health and Safety Executive, consumer and employment rights.

It acts as both a watchdog and persuader to ensure fair play for toy retailers and represents the toy retail sector on government panels and safety organisations in the UK.

Members include Toys R Us, Early Learning, Woolworths, Hamleys, Index, Gamleys, The Entertainer and all independent shops who are members of the Toymaster and Youngsters buying groups, as well as many other small and medium sized retailers of toys.

In association with The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA), all Association members are Approved Lion Mark Retailers - that is they adhere to a strict Code of Practice on selling toys.

Government and the European Community

The Association keeps members up-to-date about legislation and other relevant matters resulting from both the UK Parliament and the European Parliament. It is a member of the British Shops and Stores Association and is invited to make members views known to these bodies and governments.

The Association Approved Lion Mark Retailers Scheme

This scheme has proved a major contributor to the reduction of complaints and prosecutions involving toy safety.

The British Toy and Hobby Association developed the Lion Mark to be displayed on products of the highest safety standards, and the Association of Toy Retailers produced a strict Code of Practice for its members, which together with regular safety advice and activity, allows them to display the symbol as an Approved Lion Mark Retailer.

This is also supported by a ‘Shop where you see this sign’ campaign each year.

Code of Practice

The Association’s members undertake a number of commitments, including offering for sale only products that conform to all current toy safety legislation.

Members also undertake to not to market or sell counterfeit toys and ensure that advertising is honest, truthful, legal and decent and is in accordance with all applicable codes, in particular the British Code of Advertising Practice and the ITC Code.

They also undertake that any toy gun, imitation or replica firearm modelled on a firearm design or produced since 1898 and offered for sale is marked in accordance with the BTHA code for such a product.

A full copy of the code of practice can be found here

Contacting the Association

The Toy Retailers Association
Gainsborough Waterfront Enterprise Centre
Lea Road
GAINSBOROUGH
DN21 1LX

Secretary: Derek Markie derek.markie@toyretailersassociation.co.uk

For information about the accompanying press release or for press enquiries, contact:

Simon Brian
Simon Brian Public Relations

Tel 0116 269 5919
Email simon@simonbrian.co.uk