The purpose of the British Toy & Hobby Association is to promote and, where possible to bring about, the most benign commercial, industrial and political climate for its members activities'; also, in circumstances where the collective interests are specifically threatened, to organise and conduct appropriate defence.
Objectives :

1. To achieve broad public recognition of the positive value of play and of the part played by toys in promoting play.
2. To gain understanding and recognition of the industry's concern for safety and its safety record and to encourage public interest in purchasing and using safe toys.
3. To create and maintain the most efficient possible facilities for members collectively to meet and transact business with customers.
4. To ensure that the industry's interests and views are fully and properly represented to government and that the Association is routinely consulted by government on issues affecting the toy industry.
5. To monitor the industry's ability to advertise freely to children and to conduct international trade without unreasonable industry-specific restriction.
6. To provide information to and maintain a communication network for members to promote the Association's other objectives.
7. To manage the Association's finances so as to provide the funding necessary to execute its objectives and to maintain financial security at all times.

The BTHA was founded in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today, the Association has 220 members who, between them, are responsible for over 95% of the British market for toys and games, valued at £1.6bn. The BTHA also organises the British International Toy & Hobby Fair at Olympia.

The BTHA represents the interests of the toy industry on a national and an international level, addressing issues and commercial problems which could have a profound effect on the toy business. With Brussels becoming a stronger force, the BTHA is taking a leading role in European discussions and decision making, ensuring that the UK's toy industry is at the forefront of international affairs.

The BTHA secretariat in London is headed by David Hawtin, Director General, with a staff of six and can be contacted during normal office hours. The activities of the Association are directed by Council, elected annually and comprising 20 members. The Council, in turn, is supported by the work of six committees whose members are drawn from Council and have a specialist knowledge of their committee's working area.

The BTHA considers its most important duty is to promote the highest possible standards of safety in design and manufacture of toys and in 1989 launched the Lion Mark to assist consumers in identifying safe toys.

The BTHA also directly encourages good practice in advertising to children. It has initiated and funded research work on children and aggression, has published a comprehensive guide to members on advertising to children and makes compliance with the ITC and CAP codes of practice a condition of membership of the BTHA.

The BTHA seeks to encourage conditions of free trade for its members' industrial and commercial operations, which are worldwide in scope. Through its membership of the Toy Industries of Europe, the BTHA has been active in opposing trade barriers, both within the Single European market and globally. The BTHA supported the GATT zero for zero tariff initiative and opposes the recent EU trade defence measures which impose unwanted protection on the toy industry.

The Department of Trade and Industry described the BTHA as 'one of the best organised bodies of its kind in the country.'  

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

SECRETARIAT PERSONNEL

 

BTHA COUNCIL MEMBERS