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Essential
Evaluation Standards
Essential evaluation standards that clearly define product evaluation policies for The Toy Man® Product Guide are a must! |
| Over the many years we have been in operation, we have been enabled to carefully establish and maintain operational standards and policies to ensure an ever evolving model of dedication to those we serve. What you see here is the result of not just our own experience and labors but the result of feedback / suggestions that have helped us provide you the service you see today! |
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Guides / Standards
It is our policy to provide
the highest quality of unbiased evaluation and testing of products / services submitted to us
for review under the following conditions:
- As safety standards change in the industry, so must our product
submission policy as well. As we make any changes to our guidelines,
we will make that noted here. Latest evaluation guidelines update: 01/14/2025
- PLEASE NOTE: If your product is one which is soon to
be released and you need evaluation completed before a specific deadline
date, please make a note of that in the note space Anthe product and service submission form. You can
also contact us directly via telephone at 646.875.4541.
- Both professional and non-lab testing procedures will be implemented,
adopting use of ASTM F963, CPSC, EN71, European Council Directive, UL,
European ISO 14000 series, and JPMA evaluation/certification standards
for reference in all product evaluation. This will be combined with
use of the most current evaluation guidelines used and monitored by the The Toy Man® Product Guide, aka Toy Man Global™.
- To ensure we uphold a credible and objective method of product evaluation, we publish lengthy and in-depth evaluation report summaries. These evaluation report summaries are provided at no charge for inducted products and Online services which hold an active license for unlimited use of our Seal and awards. The license is on an annual renewal cycle.
- The licensing is purely optional
- We use malls, schools, libraries, airports,
and other public locations for spontaneous unbiased hands-on consumer evaluation of products. Participants sign up to participate in the product evaluation and fill out a
consumer evaluation form which is submitted upon completion.
- Participants are notified that their participation provides no reward for
their effort outside of knowing they contributed in our providing a fair
and accurate review of each product /Online service. By signing the Consumer
Evaluation Feedback Form, they agree to allow us to use quotations from any
hands-on evaluation participant in our reviews with a condition of no full
name or private information used without consent.
- We do NOT publish / release any information provided from independent lab testing results outside of the name of the company which did the testing. The independent lab testing results are used to validate the independent testing laboratory and
corresponding reference designation as confirmed, not just designated on the form.
- We DO evaluate prototype products. (Special mandatory guidelines are enforced to remain consistent with Federal and State regulations to ensure no risk of injury to a child or liability issues.)
- We do NOT return products
which are submitted, (unless arrangements have been made PRIOR to start of
product evaluation.) Products
are generally donated with all appropriate manuals, etc. to children's wards
at hospitals, schools, off-continent urgent concerns, special needs children,
or charities for disadvantaged children.
- Upon request and formal approval by authorized staff, products
can be returned. Any and all expenses for the return
fall upon the company / individual who submitted the product(s).
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Guidelines
Just as with the evaluation process for the "Good
Housekeeping Seal", which has continued to remain so popular
and trusted for many years, a product must include excellent
production values, universal ethical values, appeal to children,
be consistent with age appropriateness, and innovative value in order
to be considered for acceptance by The Toy Man® Product Guide to become a recipient of The Toy Man® Seal of Approval.
The Toy Man® Product Guide staff look for products that not only
entertain, but also teach simultaneously with an added edge. The products
must actively stimulate a child's imagination, and contribute to further
creative skill development in the age group for which they are designed. A product must be easy for them to use, consistent with current safety
standards, as well as interesting. Products should contribute to a
child’s development, mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally,
while also being something they can have fun playing with. The product should have a strong durability level for extensive periods of play time and not break in the child's hands with reasonable use in their active play.
A very vital part of the scenario is that the company which produces the toy should be dependable and stand behind its product. It should have tested it with children to validate age appropriateness and match descriptive information, age guidelines, and suggestions for use. It should also be independent lab tested if applicable.
PLEASE NOTE: Results of product evaluations which fail to meet our guidelines will not be released, except to the manufacturer who submitted
the product for review. We
do not return products which are submitted, (unless
arrangements have been made prior to start of product evaluation.)
Products are generally
donated with all appropriate manuals, etc.
to persons in the target market for which the product has been designed, children's wards at hospitals, schools, off-continent urgent concerns, special needs children, or charities for disadvantaged children for most beneficial use from the contribution of the product. |
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