The U.S. mandatory toy standard ASTM F963-16 takes into force on 30 April 2017. All children’s toys manufactured on or after 30 April 2017 must be tested to ASTM F963-16.

New ASTM F963-16 Requirements:

•Labeling Requirements – on Battery-Operated Toys and Magnetic Toys

•Batteries – new testing requirements on certain button and coin cell batteries of 1.5V+; 4 new testing methods – overcharging, repetitive overcharging, single fault charging tests and short circuit protection test

•Cleanliness (biological & stuffing) – changes test methods for microbial cleanliness

•Heavy Elements – allows X-ray fluorescence Spectrometry using Monochromatic Excitation Beams (HDXRF) for total element screening

•Magnets – new cyclic soaking test for only wooden toys, toys to be used in water, and mouth-actuated toys with magnets or magnetic components

Mouth-Actuated Toys – adds design requirements to prevent projectile from entering mouth

•Projectile Toys – kinetic energy density level changes allowed for certain types of projectile toys

–CPSC Staff has exercised enforcement discretion on §4.21.2.3 and will apply kinetic energy density (KED) requirements only to projectiles with energies greater than 0.08J.

•Ride-on Toys – design changes

–Stability – dimensional spacing between wheels on the same axis

–Overloading – more stringent overload weight test for ride-on and seated toys

–Restraints – exempts straps used for waist restraints from free length and loop requirements

Sound-Producing Toys – redefines “mouth-actuated toys” to include broader range of toys; increases peak limits; adds new noise limit; lowers test speed for push-pull toys

•New Sections

–Toy Chests – Reincorporates toy chest sections 4.27 and associated provisions from ASTM F963-07ε1; clarifies a multi-positional lid requirement when testing for maximum lid drop

–Expanding Materials – new definitions, performance requirements, test methodology and a test template to address the emerging hazard of GI blockage related to ingestion of expanding materials

EXAMPLES

1. Stuffed Animal filled with marabou (derived from poultry feathers)

• phthalates
• Lead Substrate & Surface Coatings
• Small Parts
• Use & Abuse
• (Modified) Cleanliness Test; (Modified) Visual Inspection; (Modified) Bacteriological Safety

2. Superabsorbent Polymer Ball (Expanding material)

CPSC & ASTM F963-16 Testing Required

• phthalates
• Lead Substrate & Surface Coatings
• (new) Expanding materials test: 1. Toy materials that expand >50% when soaked in deionized water for 72 hours; 2. Expanded material must fit through gauge to pass

3. Push Car for Toddlers (Ride-on toy)

CPSC & ASTM F963-16 Testing Required

• phthalates
• Lead Substrate & Surface Coatings
• Small Parts
• Use & Abuse
• Dynamic Strength
• (Exemption) Cords, Straps, & Elastics - waist restraint exempt from free length & loop requirements
• (modified) Stability – wheels spaced min. of 5.9” to be separate wheel
• (modified) Overload/Collapse – default to heavier overload weight

As one of CPSC-recognised labs, C&K Testing is devoted to assisting businesses in checking product conformity. Our qualifications for ASTM F963-16 have been updated in this April, which make is possible to render better services for our clients.

See the link below for our qualifications at the CPSC website:

https://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/labsearch/ViewLab.aspx?LabID=1347

|Further Information:

ASTM F963-16 takes into effect since 30 April

Information about the effectiveness of ASTMF963-16

US toy safety standard ASTM F963-16 updated

|Our Services: Toys & Children's Products ASTM F963