A unique and trusted Mark to provide toy manufacturers with Total Quality Assurance throughout their supply chain and to reassure educational bodies and consumers that STEM learning toys have met the highest quality and safety standards.
As increasing quantities of STEM toys are marketed to younger children, concerns surrounding STEM toy safety have increased. With the increasing demand from schools and the educational sector to source REAL STEM toys for learning, it is important for the STEM toy manufacturing industry to clearly demonstrate that their products are safe and STEM.
The Intertek STEM Mark Scheme answers this need by assuring the highest quality and safety standards for consumers through helping toy manufacturers throughout their supply chain from design reviews to usability and safety assessments.
What are STEM Toys?
STEM toys are those that teach or foster Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) skills. With their end-users being children, the need to balance early development and learning in the area of STEM with safety is crucial.
So how can Intertek help?
Toy associations and governments are increasing the pressure on manufacturers to comply with toy safety, quality, and the necessary labelling for these products.
Partnered with international experts ranging from educationalists to child psychologists, Intertek can help toy manufacturers throughout the supply chain from design, usability and safety assessments to delivering the highest quality and safety standards for younger consumers.
What does the Intertek STEM Mark mean?
Not only does the Mark stand for compliance with the regulatory safety requirements for toys, it also represents verification of the educational functionalities of the toys based on the combined international curricula and marking schemes of the subjects Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The Mark verifies that the toy serves its educational purposes and brings benefits which awaken and inspire the STEM skills of players.
What are the benefits of the Intertek STEM Mark Scheme?
For Manufacturers and Retailers
- Product differentiation
- Brand promise protection and delivery
- Building trust and brand reputation with consumers
- Builds buyer support and trust
- Expands market from early adopters
- Independent third-party support to validate marketing claims
- Sourced product component validation (manufacturers) or product lines (retailers)
For Consumers
- Reassurance that the toys are safe
- Confidence that the toys can bring educational purposes in STEM
- Facilitation of product choicesof parents/education sectorsthrough independent verification
ARE YOU SELLING STEM TOYS?
- Are they really STEM toys?
- Are they really Age-appropriate?
- Do they encourage Imagination/ Generic skills?
- How do they relate to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics?
Are you claiming your toys are STEM toys?
Do you want to win more business by standing out in the STEM toys market with our STEM Mark? Talk to our experts today.
Disclaimer: The Intertek STEM Mark Scheme is a verification scheme covering the marketing of STEM features of STEM products. Application of the STEM Mark on a product indicates that the samples tested by Intertek met the requirements established for specific STEM functionalities as listed in the Scheme. Manufacturers must ensure that a representative sample is provided to Intertek for testing. Also, if there is any change in design, material, processing, or sourcing of the product that may impact the property for which the STEM Mark was issued, the manufacturer shall inform Intertek and submit a new application for the STEM Mark. Intertek's responsibility and liability are limited to the terms and conditions of the Scheme’s agreement. Intertek assumes no liability to any party, other than to the Client, in accordance with the agreement, for any loss, expense or damage occasioned by the use of this information. Intertek is not responsible for the production quality control and does not relieve the Client of their obligations in this respect. The information provided in our STEM Mark Certificate and Testing Reports is proprietary to Intertek, and Intertek reserves the right to make any changes to the information at any time without notice or to withdraw the Mark and related information given for products in the event the Mark becomes invalid.
