Page 17 - Craftcil Aug & Sep 2023

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tactile reading materials available for without ISI mark under a BIS licence However, toys meant for
the visually impaired community? export, toys sold by artisans registered with DC Handicrafts
What problems do they face with the and Gl toys are exempted from the scope of the QC Order Indian
existing methods?’ and offered Standards for Safety of Toys.
solution through Beyond Braille that
There are 7 different Indian Standards of which each correspond
provides simplified illustrations, to different aspects for Safety of Toys Standards can be accessed
braille indications, supports from BIS website www.bis gov.in. Visit the “Know Your Standards”
customisation, is patent-certified and
Section what is tested for safety: if
supports inclusivity. She informed that the toy has any sharp edges that
they have lightweight & durable books that include tactile can cause injury; are the labeling
embossing which is a ‘Tactile Raised Illustrations’ technique and
compliances met?; is the toy
supports Braille Indications/Cues. She also spoke about inclusion flammable ?; electronic safety
with the 3A’s approach : Awareness, Acceptance, Accessibility. mechanisms Status report ; BIS has
Simran Lekhi, Founder, KiDSTACK elaborated on her initiative granted more than 1300 licences
and its goal to provide consumers with non toxic, sustainable to domestic manufacturers of toys;
made in India toys. She shared about how toy start-ups have BIS has recognized 28 laboratories for testing safety of toys;
created significant As part of factory and market surveillance - BIS has drawn more
demand for made in than 3700 samples of toys for testing. 84% samples have met
india toys. “Boost in the Indian Standards.
toy sector can be Jay Thakkar, Centre for Creative Learning (CCL), IIT
attributed to the Gandhinagar explained the problem of how numerous tests
government support in and rankings have revealed that indian education system still
the recent years and the lacks in developing critical thinking in children. “The goal is to
focus on ‘vocal for local’. bring the gleam of creativity
The platform KiDSTACK aims to provide a diverse range of toys and wonder back into
having variety, affordability and catering to all. There is an children’s eyes using various
increasing demand for sustainable toys due to more conscious interactive toys and other
customers. There are new varieties in the market of sustainable puzzles,” he emphasised and
products like organic slime, playdough, etc. Three ways to boost suggested, “use fascinating
micro toys manufacturers : unique product offerings, catering to concepts from physics and
modern indian parents, incorporating new technology (robotics, natural phenomena to create
stem, etc.),” she detailed. creatively designed toys.” Mr.

Aditya Das, Scientist D/Joint Director, Bureau of Indian Thakkar added that CCL at IIT
Standards(BIS) explained the legal framework of BIS in detail. Gandhinagar believes in experiential learning rather than directly
Through his presentation, the audience learnt that as per the give a box of toys. Rather they provide for games that a child
Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, issued by DPIlT under the needs to create on his own and experiment with it in his own
provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, toys shall conform to Indian subjective manner. Self made toys provide more learning
Standards for Safety of Toys and shall bear the Standard Mark potential for kids compared to readymade toys.” The speaker
(ISI Mark) under a licence from BIS we. f. 1 Jan 2021. Accordingly, also shared success stories of classrooms full of curious children
from 1 Jan 2021, no person shall manufacture, import, taking keen interest in these toys.
distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any toys

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