February 16, 2026 | Toy Association staff and other experts led a “Toy Safety & Legislative Update” at Toy Fair® in New York City today that addressed the industry’s top state, federal, and international legislative and regulatory priorities, including key product safety-related activity.

Toy Association Chief Policy Officer Kathrin Belliveau opened the seminar with remarks on how the Association’s Global Government & Regulatory Affairs work is serving the global toy community. She reflected on a year marked by unprecedented policy and regulatory changes, emphasizing how sustained advocacy, rapid response, and a unified industry voice helped protect the role of play and deliver measurable progress in Washington and beyond.

Offering attendees an overview of enforcement priorities and modernization efforts at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Acting Chair Peter Feldman delivered a keynote address focused on protecting consumers while supporting compliant businesses. During his remarks, Feldman emphasized the CPSC’s renewed focus on its core mission to combat unsafe imports — particularly from China and overseas e-commerce platforms — including revoking accreditation for testing labs that falsify reports, expanding investigations into online marketplaces, and leveraging artificially intelligent-enabled risk targeting to intercept hazardous products more efficiently.

“For American toy manufacturers who play by the rules, this matters. We’re leveling the playing field because you are investing in safety, in testing, in compliance, and making sure that you follow the law,” Feldman said.

Shifting to global toy safety, two officials from the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch at Health Canada (Government of Canada) addressed changes to the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act. Regional Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Officers Cynthia Mak (British Columbia Region) and Trondur Hanson (Ontario Region) offered guidance to help companies proactively meet safety and reporting standards and provided examples of how these requirements differ from those in the U.S.

Addressing developments in the European market, Catherine Van Reeth, director general of Toy Industries of Europe (TIE), provided an update on what companies can expect as the European Union begins the transition from the Toy Safety Directive (TSD) to the newly announced Toy Safety Regulation (TSR) in 2030. Her presentation outlined the anticipated updates in the coming years, including changes needed to the European Standards (EN71 series) as well as a Delegated Act related to the new Digital Product Passport. The European Commission and standards bodies will continue working to support conformity under the TSR, reinforcing the need for companies to stay engaged and prepare for evolving compliance requirements.

Following the guest speakers, Belliveau sat down with Toy Association Global Government Regulatory Affairs staff for a fireside chat focused on policy trends and a 2026 outlook, including priorities at the state and federal levels. From monitoring the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence on product development and consumer engagement, to advocating on trade policies at the federal and international levels, the Association remains focused on protecting members’ interests. At the state level, active engagement continues around extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws and other regulatory measures that may pose cost and compliance challenges. The Toy Association continues to advocate for a national approach on these issues and is collaborating with industry and national partners to ensure creativity, innovation, and economic growth while guarding the safety of children and families.

Members may reach out to Kathrin Belliveau with any questions related to The Toy Association’s advocacy.

This seminar was open to all Toy Fair participants and sponsored by SGS North America and UL Solutions.