|
| |
KAPLA WOODEN BUILDING BLOCKS
Toy Safety Statement from Kapla
September 2007
This is to
certify that Kapla fully complies with US safety regulations and is dedicated to
safety as well as quality of play.
Kapla is produced in a family owned and operated factory in Bordeaux. Two years
ago, an additional factory was opened in Tangiers, Morocco. Invented and
designed in 1988 by Tom VanderBruggen, quality control, safety and earth
friendly production have been KAPLA goals from the outset.
Kapla is proud to continue producing a natural, non-toxic SAFE building block
which respects both ASTM F963-03 as well as European Standards for Safety. The
pine planks are not treated and their unique properties are the result of years
of refined machinery, precision cutting and quality control. Kapla cutting
machines are especially designed in Germany and cutting blades are changed and
sharpened every two hours to produce the distinctive SAFE blocks that allow
building without glue or snaps or interlocking parts.
All KAPLA blocks are made of Marine Pine from renewable forests in the Bordeaux
region in France. (Le Pin des Landes) This is one of the oldest forestry
engineering regions in the world developed in the 1700s when marine pin was
first planted to fixate shifting sands. For over 250 years, several million
acres of marine pine is planted and forested to maintain the balance of land and
sea as well as to develop other wood based industries in
Europe.
This region is a model for forestry . Moreover, Kapla planks recycle every
particle used in the process.
Water based colors for the pine planks were later introduced to highlight the
natural toned pine planks. The planks are "stained" as the pine naturally
absorbs the water based colors. Kapla products have been recently tested by both
the Bureau Veritas laboratories in France and the Intertek Testing Services in
France.
As Kapla popularity grew throughout
Europe
and the US -- endorsed by parents, schools, museums "The Louvre" included--a
second factory was built by the VanderBruggen family in Tangiers. The family
continues to operate both the
Bordeaux
and Tangiers factory with the same dedication to quality control, safety and to
quality toys for children all over the world. The wooden planks are shipped to
Tangiers from France for coloring and packaging. Kapla is certainly committed to
safety for children and for protecting the environment. Kapla factories embody
the highest standards in toy production. Kapla has been recognized with several
prestigious awards.
|
www.KidsToyChest.com
Mailing Address