British Toy & Hobby Association

The BTHA was established in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today it has around 140 members ranging from international toy giants to small family-run businesses that together account for over 85% of the UK toy market, valued currently at £3.5bn.

The BTHA represents the interests of the toy industry on a national and an international level, addressing issues and commercial problems which could have a profound effect on the toy business. The BTHA considers its most important duty is to promote the highest possible standards of safety in design and manufacture of toys and in 1989 launched the Lion Mark to assist consumers in identifying safe toys.

The Association runs the only dedicated toy trade event in the UK – The Toy Fair – which takes place annually at the end of January at Olympia, London. The show exists to give members, and non-members, an opportunity to showcase their products to the wider industry including retailers, buyers, suppliers and the media.