Company Profile - Ethical Supply Chain Program

Collaborations demonstrate Toy industry's commitment to sustainability and transparency

Carmel Giblin, president & CEO of the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP), shares with Toy World how the ESCP is driving collaborations within the Toy industry to find solutions to shared problems.

Recent years have seen a raft of legislation affect toy businesses across Europe and beyond. From enhanced due diligence requirements to material restrictions in consumer products, businesses must now build-in requirements to ensure long term success.

The revised EU Toy Safety Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) bring new requirements for improved sustainability and transparency within the Toy industry, such as a Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will require a revision of the entire value chain data collection and reporting processes.

As an organisation that works with buyers, factories and a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) understands that businesses operating in the Toy industry, both directly and indirectly, need support when it comes to complying with new regulation and implementing long term, sustainable changes.

Last year, the ESCP facilitated a working group including industry leaders Mattel, the Lego Group, Crayola and Target, all of which are now collaboratively developing solutions to shared challenges within the industry and helping to create a level playing field for companies of all sizes. Besides acting as a database for this information, the Recycled Materials Chemical Safety Assessments (RCSA) also facilitates the assessment and approval of suppliers and their materials, ensuring compliance with the revised EU Toy Safety Directive and ESPR.

Solutions for shared problems

The development of the RCSA aims to establish clear procedures, standards and methodologies for assessing recycled materials' chemical safety. By creating a standardised approach, the programme also aims to support suppliers by providing them with clarity on processes and requirements. This will facilitate compliance and increase the number of qualified suppliers in the market.

“This new programme prioritises the removal of duplication and enables more companies to access suppliers and their materials,” Carmel Giblin, president & CEO of the Ethical Supply Chain Program explains. “By doing that, we hope to see the volume of recycled products increasing within the Toy category.”

The RCSA promotes knowledge sharing and best practices, driving innovation, quality and efficiency within the industry. Ultimately, this initiative will demonstrate the industry's commitment to regulatory standards and sustainable practices.

Support for businesses of any size in 2025

The Recycled Materials Chemical Safety Assessments (RCSA) is developed with collaboration at its core. As a notfor-profit, ESCP is committed to providing services and solutions which are affordable for businesses of any size.

Carmel says: “The RSCA is expected to go live in 2025, creating more opportunities for broader participation. Initially, it began with toy buyers utilising recycled materials but now includes suppliers of recycled materials and testing laboratories in the working group. However, this group can always be expanded, and additional participation is welcome.”

As it moves forward, the RCSA will continue to be overseen by this multi stakeholder group, which enables all voices to be heard, shares the burden of keeping the technology and methodology up to date, and keeps cost low.

The RCSA is scheduled for launch in Q3 of 2025 – contact ESCP to learn more: info@ethicalsupplychain.org