Introduction

In recent years there has been rising concern over safe and ethical working conditions in toy manufacturing facilities worldwide. Thus a number of toy buying organisations have introduced codes of business practices or guidelines to their suppliers. Although the majority of the codes are similar to each other in principle, minor differences exist in certain areas. Suppliers found it difficult or even in some instances impossible to meet all the requirements to satisfy the various codes. Therefore, a single and universally acceptable code was urgently needed for the global toy community.
Members of the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) first formulated the ICTI Code of Business Practices (the Code) and adopted it in 1999 by its member countries. After numerous revisions, the revised Code in its current format was officially launched worldwide in 2002.
The Hong Kong Toys Council (HKTC) along with 20 other ICTI member associations fully supports the Code and strongly urges all toy industry operators to adopt the Code as soon as practicable to expedite global acceptance of the Code.

Why is a code of business practices so important?

1. Employees are provided with a safe and healthy working environment
Employees are precious resources of any organisation and should be taken care of properly. Failure to provide an adequate workplace environment by management might endanger the health and safety aspects of employees. A code would enable the management to closely monitor whether or not due attention has been given to such aspects.

2. Employees' exposure to workplace hazards reduced
Workplace hazards can be dangerous and potentially costly. They can lead to accidents and endanger the health of employees, affect working morale, disrupt production and result in other financial losses. Management has a duty to minimise, as far as practicable, employees!| exposure to workplace hazards. A code of business practices would provide the management with the necessary guidelines to minimize or prevent hazards.

3. Employees' efforts properly rewarded
Employees should be compensated according to their efforts. Failure to do so by management should be avoided. A code of business practices will provide the basis for ensuring proper treatment of the workforce.

4. The image of individual companies and the toy industry in general will be elevated
Having the code of business practices put in place is beneficial to the business of an individual company and would greatly enhance the image of the global toy industry. If a uniformed approach is adopted by all global toy industry operators, the industry could promote itself as caring, responsible and forward-thinking and provide a better image to customers, the public and NGOs.

5. Preventive and cost-effective measures against workplace misfortune and losses
Effort should be made to avoid accidents and losses in workplace. Such measure would prove cost effective and enhance the image of toy companies, employee morale and productivity. A code of business practices should be adopted as the foundation for improved management.