HealthyToys.org is a new website charting which U.S. consumer toys are safe and which ones contain harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, vinyl chloride, and others.

You are required to sign up (for free) at the Healthy Toys website in order to view its Best Toys list, Worst Toys list and other resources. The site lists approximately 1,200 popular toys for children and their respective levels of contamination by toxic chemicals.

HealthyToys is a project spearheaded by the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based non-profit organizatio, and joined by several environmental health groups around the U.S.

How Can Businesses Benefit?

Websites like HealthyToys.org work to help consumers know about unsafe products. As the 2007 holiday season intensifies from a sales standpoint, more and more businesses need to stay abreast of changes and updates to the lists maintained by sites of this nature.

One way businesses can benefit from sites like these is by making sure their toys are as safe as possible so as to increase the likelihood of being highlighted on the "Best" lists.

Another possible advantage for companies is if they can publicize any successes or recognition they receive from watchdog groups regarding toy safety.

Furthermore, a company that makes or markets safe toys will likely benefit by receiving more repeat business in this day of strong word-of-mouth and viral Web news and information spreading.

How to Protect Your Business Against A Health Debacle

If your company offers any product or service involving potential health hazards, make sure you follow these tips:

- Check with state and local governments to make sure your business is in compliance with the appropriate health codes and regulations.

- Seek opportunities to collaborate with non-profit organizations such as HealthyToys (but related to your particular industry) who could give your company a certification or award that you could publicize.

- Subject your company to regular scrutiny by certified health inspectors and make sure your potential customer base is well aware of your transparency.

In what other ways do you think businesses can respond positively to the increasing number of watchdog databases like HealthyToys.org?

Do you plan to check HealthyToys.org the next time you think about getting a certain toy?