Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
Issued: 04/02/tcd
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Stuffed Toy Licensing and Labeling Laws of US and Canada
Stuffed toys and dolls for the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Ohio of the US shall conform to the
stuffed toy licensing and labeling laws.
US - PENNSYLVANIA
Since 1961, stuffed toys and dolls for the state of Pennsylvania should comply with the Stuffed Toys Act and
Regulations. The requirements are as follows:
Labeling Requirements
Manufacturers must submit detailed information about filler content of their stuffed toys, and specimens of such
toys selected at random, and pay the license fee (US$25 initial registration and US$25 annual renewal) to
Pennsylvania licensing authorities.
A label detailing the following information shall be affixed to the toy. There is no color, size or type
requirements with respect to the label, provided it is legible and can be readily discerned.
1. A statement that "All New Material" or "All New (type) Material" was used in the manufacture of
the stuffed toys.
2. The manufacturer's registration number assigned by Pennsylvania licensing authorities preceded
by the abbreviations "" (the registered name and address of the manufacturer alone
cannot be used). No person other than the one granted a given registration, or his designated agent,
shall use the registration number.
Quality and Safety Requirements
The regulation provides that stuffed toys are "unfit for sale" if they contain:
1. Material of sufficient size to visibly reveal a pattern, weave or other mechanical unification of
threads to indicate prior use of a previous manufacturing process.
2. Dirt and/or other foreign matter in excess of one percent (1%) by weight.
3. More than one percent (1%) oil or grease.
4. More than % lead as (Pb) - (20 parts per million).
5. More than % arsenic - (2 parts per million).
6. More than % ammonia.
7. More than % urea.
8. Plastic or metal ornaments such as eyes, nose, etc., not of a safe design or not attached to the
stuffed toys in such manner as to prevent removal.
9. Stones or other hard materials having jagged or sharp edges.
10. Material bearing electrostatic charge with adherence characteristics which when exposed could
lodge in the windpipe, ears or nostrils.
11. Filing material which surface burns at a rate of less than three (3) seconds for twelve (12) square
inches...
Registration Requirements for Foreign Manufacturers
1. The manufacturer may register directly with the Department at the foreign manufacturer's location.
This is identical to the requirement for domestic manufacturers, or
2. An importer may hold a stuffed toy registration on behalf of each foreign manufacturer represented.
The Department does not permit "pooling" of registrations.
Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
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Manufacturer should note that registration of each plant of domestic manufacturers is not necessary but
that each foreign manufacturer should be separately registered. A domestic manufacturer who has
product manufactured abroad for it and who supplies designs or materials to the foreign source also
need not register the foreign plant.
In addition, registration of foreign plants is necessary only if the foreign manufacturer sells products
totally made from its own design to the American importer.
For any further information, please contact
Department of Labor & Industry
Bedding and Upholstery Section
Room 1619
7th and Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Tel: (717) 787-6848, Fax: (717) 787-6925
US - MASSACHUSETTS
License Fee
US$100 initial registration
US$100 annual renewal
Labeling Requirements
The following information shall appear on the manufacturer's label:
1. Name and principal place of business (City and State) of the manufacturer; or at the option of the
manufacturer, the manufacturer's Massachusetts license number.
2. The statement "All New Material" (with type of material) or "All New (type) Material" was used
in the manufacture of the toy.
3. The form, design, color or size of labels is left to the manufacturer's discretion, provided the
information and type size is legible. No special method of affixing labels (string tags would suffice)
is required. The information must be "clearly visible" so that, if the label is beneath doll's clothing,
the required information must appear on the box.
4. All labels required by this law shall be securely attached to the article during the process of
manufacture at the factory. Such labels shall be fixed in such position that they may be
conveniently examined.
For any further information, please contact:
Department of Public Health
Food and Drug Division
Furniture & Bedding Inspection Section
305 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tel: (617) 983-6700
Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
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US - OHIO
License Fee
The regulations of the Division of Bedding and Upholstered Furniture of the Ohio Department of
Industrial Relations require that manufacturers of stuffed toys pay an annual fee of US$50 and file
quarterly reports accompanied by a tax of four (4) cents per item sold in the State of Ohio in the
preceding quarter (effective July 1, 1989).
Labeling Requirements
A label securely affixed to the stuffed toy or doll which contains the following:
1. The registered name and address of the manufacturer or importer.
2. At the option of the manufacturer or importer, the license number assigned to registrants by the
State of Ohio which shall be the registered license number of the manufacturer or importer in any
other state in which he is registered; and
3. A statement that "All New Material" (with type of material) or "All New (type) Material" was used
in the manufacture of the stuffed toy.
The form, design, color or size of the label is left to the discretion of the manufacturer or importer,
provided that the information required on the label is clearly legible and in sufficient size type so
that it can be readily discerned. The label must be affixed to the stuffed toy itself.
Requirements for Registration Numbers
1. It is the requirement of the State of Ohio that the manufacturer's registration number be preceded
by the name of the state issuing the registration number and be followed by the abbreviated name
of the state in which the plant is located.
2. If you are requesting recognition of a uniform registration number, be sure to provide the complete
registration number along with a copy of the license issued from the issuing state. The abbreviation
of the plant location must be noted as a suffix to the registration number if the location is different
than the issuing state.
3. If you are requesting the issuance of an Ohio registration number provide the location of the state
in which the plant is located if it is outside the state of Ohio.
4. Each license registration number is plant location specific. If you are using more than one plant in
different states, you will need more than one license and registration number requiring additional
license fees.
5. When applying for more than one registration number, due to different state plant locations the
registration number issued will be the same except that the suffixes will be abbreviated to represent
each different state plant location.
6. If you are using overseas plant locations, the above applies as well.
For further information, please contact:
Department of Industrial Compliance
Division of Bedding and Upholstered Furniture
And Stuffed Toy
6606 Tussing Road
. Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2428
Tel: (614) 644-2236
Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
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US - UNIFORM LABEL FOR STUFFED TOYS
It is possible for manufacturers to utilize a uniform stuffed toys label which is good in all three states
(Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Ohio) that require the licensing of stuffed toy manufacturers and the labeling
of stuffed toys. The uniform label, to be effective for all States, should contain the following information.
1. The Pennsylvania license number of the manufacturer or vendor. [Note that because Pennsylvania
requires a Pennsylvania license number to be on the label and does not accept the use of the name and
address of the manufacturer or the use of any other State's licensing number, the uniform label must
utilize the Pennsylvania license number.] Ohio and Massachusetts will accept the use of a
Pennsylvania toy registration number if that Pennsylvania number is registered within these
states and their fees are paid.
2. The name and principal place of business (City and State) of the manufacturer or vendor.
3. A statement that "All new Material" (with type of material) or "All New (type) Material" was used in
the manufacture of the stuffed toy.
There is no color, size or type requirement for the UNIFORM LABEL provided the print is legible and can be
readily discerned. The label must be affixed to the stuffed toy itself.
Source: TIA Bulletin No. S-42/September 26, 2001
CANADA – ONTARIO
Upholstered and stuffed articles like furniture, bedding and toys sold in Ontario Canada shall comply with the
Ontario Regulation 218/01 for Upholstered and Stuffed Articles under the Technical Standards and Safety Act,
2000.
The regulation requires that the manufacturer, renovator, home hobby or craft operator is registered with the
Technical Standards & Safety Authority. Importers, distributors, retailers and agents are not eligible for
registration.
License Fees
Manufacturer: CAN$400 annually
Renovator: CAN$85 annually
Home hobby or craft operator: CAN$20 annually
Labeling Requirements
All upholstered and stuffed articles offered for sale in Ontario must bear a label in a prescribed format:
1. Labels must be securely affixed to the article;
2. Labels should be in a conspicuous location so consumers can easily read the contents of the article;
3. Labels must be made of a white durable fabric or synthetic material. Paper is not acceptable;
4. Printing must be in black ink;
5. Filling materials must be declared by generic name;
6. If multiple fillings are used, the label must disclose in descending order the largest volume of
filling first.
Approved label formats for furniture and bedding products (Form 1), clothing and miscellaneous articles (Form
2), toys and smaller articles (Form 3) are shown for reference only.
Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
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Form 1
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
CM
O
P
T
IO
N
A
L CARE LABELLING AND/OR
SUPPLEMENTARY LABELLING
ÉTIQUETAGE D’ENTRETIEN ET/OU
ÉTIQUETAGE SUPPLÉMENTAIRE
Not to be removed until
delivered to the consumer
Ne pas enlever avant la
livraison au consommateur
9
C
M
This article contains
NEW MATERIAL
ONLY
Cet article contient des
MATÉRIAUX NEUFS SEULEMENT
This label is affixed in compliance
with Provincial Law
Cette étiquette est apposée
conformément à la loi de la province
Made by Fabriqué par
reg. No. No de permis :
Content Contenu
Federal Requirement/Exigence fédérale
O
P
T
IO
N
A
L
SUPPLEMENTARY AND/OR OTHER
JURISDICTIONS INFORMATION
INFORMATIONS SUPPLÉMENTAIRES
ET/OU D’AUTRES AUTORITÉS
Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre
Issued: 04/02/tcd
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Form 2
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
7 CM
Not to be removed until
delivered to the consumer
Ne pas enlever avant la
livraison au consommateur
This label is affixed in compliance
with Provincial Law
Cette étiquette est apposée
conformément à la loi de la
province
CM
This article contains
NEW MATERIAL ONLY
Cet article contient des
MATÉRIAUX NEUFS
SEULEMENT
Made by reg. no. Fabriqué par No de permis :
CONTENT CONTENU
Form 3
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
CM
CM
NEW MATERIAL ONLY
REG. NO.
CONTENT
MATÉRIAUX NEUFS SEULEMENT
NO DE PERMIS
CONTENU
For further information, please contact :
Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Program
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
3300 Bloor Street West
4th Floor, West Tower
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2X4
Labeling Inquiries Registration Inquiries
Email: jholmes@ Email: jziraldo@
Tel: (416) 325-0381 Tel: (416) 325-4088
Fax: (416) 326-8248 Fax: (416) 326-1663
For questions about registration and labeling requirements for upholstered and stuffed articles in:
Manitoba:
Manitoba Consumer's Bureau
258 Portage Ave., Room 302
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0B6
Tel: (204) 945-3696
Fax: (204) 945-0728
Attn: Irene De Graffe
Email: idegraaf@
Quebec:
Gouvernement du Québec
Ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce de la Science et de la Technologie
Direction des activités commerciales et des opérations
380, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest, 4 e étage
Montréal (Québec)
H2Y 3X7
Attn: Collette Jean
Montréal (514) 499-2176 Fax: (514) 499-2191
Email: @
The information contained in this newsletter is obtained from sources believed to be accurate to the best knowledge of the Hong Kong
Standards and Testing Centre. It is distributed without warranty, representation, inducement or license of any kind and the Hong Kong
Standards and Testing Centre does not assume any legal responsibility for use or reliance upon same.
