On October 20, 2016, ASTM International published revised toy safety standard F963-16 as part of its ongoing effort to monitor and proactively address concerns pertaining to toy safety.

In accordance with section 106(g) of Public Law 110-314, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), once ASTM International notifies the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Commission has up to 90 days to review and respond to the revisions, and accept or reject revisions in part or whole. If the CPSC does not respond within 90 days or accept the revisions, the revised standard (F963-16) will become a mandatory toy safety standard effective 180 days after notification. The requirements are prospective, so the certification (Children’s Product Certificate) of toys manufactured on and after the effective date, 180 days from notification date, will be required to be based on the F963-16 testing at a CPSC-approved laboratory.

Compared with ASTM F963-11, following is a summary of significant revisions:

• Expanding material
• Magnet requirements
• Toy chest
• Battery operated toys
• Heavy metals requirement
• Projectile toys
• Sound producing toys (acoustic requirements)
• Stuffing cleanliness requirements
• Ride-on toys
• Cords
• Cosmetic
• Clarification for impaction hazard and squeeze toys requirements.

ASTM F963 is crucial for going into the American market. Intertek kindly remind toys enterprises, it is important for them to keep track of the latest regulatory requirements and make timely adjustment to their market strategy to stay competitive in the marketplace. Intertek, through our extensive global network, has a variety of services available to help you overcome the challenges related to complying with the new rule.

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