American toys (ASTM F963) testing services

 ASTM F963

Toy ASTM F963 testing process
--provide product pictures for inquiry

--Determine the price, send test samples and fill in the application information

--Receive samples and application materials and send quotation

--Confirm the quotation and arrange the test after payment

--The test is completed and the ASTM F963 test report is issued
ASTM F963
Introduction to the ASTM F963 standard for toys

ASTM F963 is an American toy testing standard developed by the National Bureau of Standards of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The current version number is ASTM F963-23 and will become a mandatory standard in April 2024.

The ASTM F963 standard has general requirements for toy products exported to the US market. The specific requirements are as follows:

1.1 Materials: Toys may be made of new or reprocessed materials. If reprocessed material is used, it must be refined so that its hazardous substance content complies with the requirements of 1.3.1.
1.2 Flammability: Non-textile materials used in toys must not be flammable. For testing purposes, any textile used in toys should comply with the requirements of 16CFR 1610.
1.3 Toxicity
1.3.1 Toxic Substances---Toys or materials used in toys must comply with FHSA and the relevant regulations promulgated in accordance with FHSA.

1.3.2 Packaging of Food - Food sold with toys must be manufactured and packaged in accordance with 21 CFR 110 concerning sanitary practices for manufacturing, processing, packaging and storage.
1.3.3 Toy parts that come into contact with food, such as toy cookware, must comply with the relevant requirements of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Regulations (FDCA). Especially 21 CFR 110.
1.3.4 Cosmetics-toy cosmetics must comply with the relevant requirements of the FDCA code 21CER. The regulations applicable to cosmetics are found in 21CFR700-740. For relevant regulations on pigments in cosmetics, see 21 CFR 73, 74, 81 and 82.

1.3.5 Paint and other similar surface coating materials used on toys must comply with the lead content regulations issued under the Consumer Product Safety Regulations (CPSA) 16 CFR 1303.
1.3.5.1 It is prohibited to use lead-containing or lead-containing paint or similar surface coatings with a lead content (Pb) exceeding (90ppm).
1.3.5.2 The metal content of soluble substances in compounds of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium in surface coating materials should not exceed the corresponding values given in Table 1.
Table 1: Maximum soluble content of transferred elements in toy materials Note: Unit: ppm (mg/kg)
Elements: lead (Pb), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd) ), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se)
limits: 90, 25, 60, 1000, 75, 60, 60, 500

Table 2: The total lead limit for the coating is 90 ppm, and the total lead limit for the base layer is 100 ppm.
1.3.6 Toy cosmetics, liquids, pastes, gels and powders---The purpose of this requirement is to reduce the risk of cosmetics and liquids, gels and other mobile organic substances used on toys due to insufficient cleanliness, shelf life and contamination . danger.

1.3.7 Filling Materials - The loose filling material of stuffed toys must not contain undesirable materials that may be infested by insects, birds, rodents or other animal parasites, nor must they contain contaminants that may be generated during operation, such as debris and metal shavings, etc. .

1.3.8 DEHP (DOP) - Materials such as pacifiers, rattles and bite rings should be tested in accordance with D3421. The test result content must not reach 3% of the total solid matter.
1.4 Electrical/Thermal Energy: Toys operated by a shunt circuit rated at 120V must comply with the requirements of 16 CFR 1505 published by FHSA.
1.5 Impulse noise: The toy cannot produce impulse noise with an instantaneous sound level exceeding 138 decibels (20 microNewtons/square meter) at any position 25CM away from the surface of the toy.
1.6 Small Parts: The requirements of this article are to reduce the risk of ingestion or inhalation of parts to children under 36 months of age.
1.6.1 Toys intended for children under 36 months of age should comply with the requirements of 16 CFR 1501. How to determine which type of toys must comply with this requirement? See 16 CFR 1500.50 for relevant standards.
1.6.1.1 These requirements also apply to determining the accessibility of small parts, such as small toys and toy parts including eyes that have been dropped or removed from toys, and sound-producing parts, both before and after use and abuse in accordance with Article 8 . , buttons, or small pieces, etc.

1.6.1.2 The following items are not subject to this requirement: balloons, books and other paper products; writing materials (crayons, chalks, pencils, pens); modeling clay and similar products;

Nail paint, watercolor paint, or other paint kits. A list of all uncontrolled items is listed in 16 CER 1501.3.
1.6.1.3 Toys assembled by adults and containing potentially dangerous small parts before assembly shall be labeled according to the provisions.
1.6.2 Oral-actuated toys
The requirements of this clause relate to toys that operate repeatedly by blowing and sucking, such as sound machines. If a mouth-operated toy contains a loose object, such as a ball in a whistle or an insert such as a reed in a sound maker , the contents of the toy will be removed when air is blown or sucked in rapidly and alternately from the mouthpiece according to the procedures of this standard. Contained droppable objects cannot be detached from it.

1.6.2.1 Small parts inside inflatable toys shall not detach from the toy when inflating or deflating.
1.6.3 Toys and game consoles intended for use by children at least 3 years old (36 months) but less than 6 years old (72 months old) shall comply with the requirements of 16CFR 1500.19. Except for paper punch game consoles and similar items, any toys and games intended for Toys and game consoles used by children at least 3 years old (36 months) but younger than 6 years old (72 months) and containing small parts should be labeled according to the requirements of 2.10.2.

1.7 Accessible sharp edges: Toys must not have accessible sharp edges that contain potential dangers.

Toys intended for adults to assemble and containing unprotected, potentially dangerous sharp edges before assembly must be labeled in accordance with 5.9.
1.7.1 Potentially hazardous metal sharp edges and off-duty sharp edges are defined in 16 CFR 1500.49. Toys for children under 8 years old are subject to regulations 8.5 to 8.10.
1.7.2 If toys intended for children between 48 and 96 months old contain potentially dangerous edges that are essential to the function of the toy, a warning label must be affixed in accordance with 5.2.
1.7.3 The accessible metal edges of metal toys, including holes and slots, must not contain dangerous burrs or thin edges, or the sharp edges must be folded or rolled up to hide them, nor can they be covered with fixing devices or coatings.
Note 2: No matter how the edges are processed, they must meet the sharp edge technical requirements of 1.7.1. If protective devices are used, they must not be detached after being tested according to applicable procedures.
1.7.4 Molded toys The accessible edges, corners or mold interfaces of molded toys should be free of dangerous edges caused by burrs and spills, or should be protected so that dangerous edges are not exposed.
1.7.5 Exposed bolts and threaded rods. If the ends of bolts and threaded rods are accessible, the threads must not have exposed sharp edges and burrs, or their ends must be covered by smooth caps so that dangerous sharp edges and burrs are not accessible . exposed.

1.8 Accessible sharp points: Toys shall not have accessible potentially dangerous sharp points arising from one of the following reasons: the structure of the toy, poorly fastened assembly parts such as wires, pins, nails; poorly cut metal sheets; screws Burrs, burred wood parts.

1.8.1 Potentially hazardous sharp points are defined in 16 CFR 1500.48.
1.8.2 If the accessible and potentially dangerous sharp points in toys for children aged 4-8 years are necessary for function, such as needles in sewing toys, warning labels must be affixed in accordance with 2.2.

Toys intended for children under 48 months of age must not have accessible functional sharp points.
1.8.3 Wood—Wood used in toys shall be free from burrs on accessible surfaces and edges before and after testing in accordance with applicable procedures.
1.9 Protrusions: This requirement relates to potentially hazardous protrusions in toys intended for children under 8 years of age. The purpose is to reduce the risk of skin punctures that may occur when children fall on rigid protrusions.
1.10 Nails and Fasteners: Nails and fasteners shall not create the hazard of sharp points, sharp edges, ingestion or protrusion. See 1.14 for additional requirements for nails and fasteners used as shafts.
1.11 Wires and rods: Wires and rods used inside toys, if they are accessible after use and testing of reasonably foreseeable abuse, their ends must be treated to avoid the presence of potentially dangerous nails and burrs and must be folded . Bend or protect with a smooth protective cap or cover. Wires or other metal materials used in toys to provide rigidity or fixed shapes, if bent at an angle of 60 degrees by applicable external force, must not break to create dangerous edges, edges or protrusions when tested in accordance with 5.12. . 2±0.05in (50±1.3mm) from the main axis of the component (wire or rod) to the intersection point of the component (wire or rod) and the main body, or at the end of the component if the length of the component is less than 2in (50mm) Applying force vertically, the above maximum force must be as follows [error ±0.51b (±0.02kg)];

10 1b (45N) Toys for children 18 months or younger
15 1b (67N) Toys for children over 18 months to 96 months
1.12. Packaging film: The purpose of this requirement is to reduce the risk of suffocation caused by thin packaging films. The rated thickness of plastic film bags and soft plastic films used as toy packaging materials or the toys themselves must be more than 0.00150in (0.03810mm), but the actual thickness must not be less than 0.00125in (0.03175mm).

Determination of thickness must be carried out in accordance with Method C of Test Method D 374. This requirement does not apply to the following situations:
1.12.1 Bags whose perimeter is less than 14in (360mm) after the perimeter is fully stretched.
1.12.2 After the perimeter is fully stretched, the bag circumference is 14in (360mm) or more, and the sum of the bag length and the fully stretched bag circumference is less than 23in (584mm).
1.12.3 Shrink film for wrapping toys with a rated thickness less than 0.00150in (0.0381mm). Generally, the film is destroyed when the customer opens the package.
1.13 Ropes and Rubber Bands: The purpose of this requirement is to reduce the risk of entanglement and strangulation that may occur with accessible ropes and rubber bands.
1.13.1 Ropes and rubber bands on toys: Ropes and rubber bands contained or attached to toys for children under 18 months of age (excluding pull toys, see 1.13.2 for requirements), in a loose state and at will . When measured under a 5 lb (2.25kg) load, the maximum length must be less than 12in (305mm). If the rope/rubber band or multi-section rope/rubber band can become tangled and/or form a loop and be connected to any part of the toy, including beads or other attachments at the end, under the influence of 51b (2.25kg) gravity, the surrounding Length must be less than 14in (356mm).

1.13.1.1 Self-retracting pulling rope: The accessible rope of the rope traction mechanism of a toy for children under 18 months of age, except for single fiber ropes with a diameter less than 1/16in (2mm), when the toy is fixed on an easily retractable When the rope is suspended vertically and fully extended in the retracted position, the retraction distance shall not exceed 1/4IN (6mm) when a heavy load of 21b (0.9kg) is applied.

Single fiber ropes with a diameter of 1/16in (2mm) or less, when tested according to the above method, shall not retract when subjected to a load of 11B (0.45kg).
1.13.2 Pull toys: For use by children under 36 months old, ropes and rubber bands longer than 12in (300mm) on pull toys must not have attachments that are wound into a ring.
1.13.3 Flying device ropes and strings: Kite ropes and hand strings that are more than 6ft (1.8m) long and fastened to flying devices used for play, under the condition that the relative humidity is not less than 45% and the temperature does not exceed 75F (24C ) When measured with a high-voltage breakdown meter, the resistance value must exceed 108Ω.cm.

1.14 Wheels, Tires and Axles: The purpose of this requirement is to eliminate ingestion hazards that may arise during normal use and reasonably foreseeable detachment of small wheels or tires (as described in 1.6), as well as those that may detach from the toy during abuse . Risk of scratches or punctures caused by protruding axles on wheel assemblies. This requirement must apply to transport wheels for preassembled and disassembled toys intended for use by children 96 months of age or younger .

The ASTM F963 standard update process is as follows:

In February 2009 , the United States began to enforce the "Consumer Safety Specification - Toy Safety":  ASTM F963-08 
A brief summary of the proposed revisions to the ASTM F963-08 version is as follows:
Ball end poke hazard: no major changes; just adding legends and adding The title was changed to "Related Toys Having Ball Ends." Toy seat definition: a seat with play value. Stability of ride-on toys and seats: Clarify seat design changes and testing methods, including forward, rearward and side directions. Toy seats also need to be tested for stability.

Overloading requirements for ride-on toys and seats: Clarifies that "toy seats" are included in the standard, although furniture is exempt from the standard; adds specific overload test methods and demonstrates consistency with past laboratory test methods.

Plastic Film: The title has changed and there are requirements for all plastic films, not just packaging. Test method modifications to eliminate duplication of content Exemptions for soft-filled toys: Modification of rattles, squeeze toys, and teething provisions to align with the federal rattle regulations and EN71 requirements for toys of specific shapes and sizes, for hard-filled toys in soft-filled toys Components also need to comply with this requirement.

Mandible sinking: Change the third dimension of the test template to the standard size, and the template needs to completely pass through the opening. Rope and flying gear: Resistivity changed to resistance, consistent with EN71 and expressed in precise words, only the terminology changed.

Flammability: The test sample for judging the results during the test in Clause A4.6.3.6 is changed from "should" to "must", and this provision is changed from "recommendation" to "instruction".
Squeeze toys with rings: Only the parts with squeeze function need to comply with the requirements of the template, and non-squeeze parts do not need to meet this requirement.

In December 2011, ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials, released the "Consumer Safety Specification – Toy Safety":  ASTM F963-11

In December 2011 , the American toy safety standard -ASTM F963-11 for toy safety was officially approved and became a mandatory standard on June 12 , 2012 .

U.S. President Obama signed bill  HR2715 in 2011 as an improvement to CPSIA 2008 . In order to avoid conflicts with the CPSIA Improvement Act, ASTM F963-11 has added some requirements to the new standard , such as requirements for soluble heavy metals in certain accessible substrates, and design guidance to avoid puncture injuries caused by baby bathroom toys. some other new ones

Changes include scope revisions, requirements for plastic films, stability and overloading requirements for ride-on toys, and more.

Compared with ASTM F963-08 , the new requirements are as follows:
1. Heavy metal requirements: The requirements for total lead in coatings are revised from the limit of 600ppm  to 90ppm , which is consistent with the current C PSIA requirements. Add the requirement of 100 ppm total lead in the substrate to include CPSIA ’s lead requirement. Increase the solubility requirements for eight heavy metals in the base material, and the limits are the same as EN71 . Exempt substrates that cannot be touched or ingested and sucked, exempt non-small parts metals, glass and ceramics, and follow up on the exemptions in 16 CFR 1500.88 and 1500.91 . The requirement for the extractable cadmium content of small metal parts to 200 μg has been added . increase weight

For the screening method of total metal content, when the total content is less than the soluble content, there is no need to test the soluble heavy metal content. Total heavy metal content allows mixed testing, but soluble

Migration testing is not allowed. Laboratories can choose other methods with comparable accuracy, such as XRF testing.
2. Hazards of puncture wounds from bath toys: Added an additional chapter on the hazards of puncture wounds from bath toys; added an appendix to guide bathroom toy manufacturers to minimize potential injuries, mainly considering the vertical nature of toys floating in the bathtub or staying at the bottom of the bathtub . , puncture wounds caused by hard parts.

The revised requirements compared to ASTM F963-08 are as follows: 1. Revision of scope: Non-powered scooters, recreational power-driven scooters and small bicycles, infant products and continuously inflatable products are not within the scope of
ASTM F963-11 .

2. Requirements for plastic films: The title has changed and there are requirements for all plastic films, not just for packaging. Revise testing methods to avoid duplication of content.
3. Ropes and wires of flying toys: The resistance coefficient is changed to resistance, consistent with EN71 and expressed in precise words.

4. Teething devices, rattles and squeeze toys: soft-filled toys and soft-filled toys whose main internal dimensions are equal to or less than 1.2in . ( 30mm ) rigid parts are exempted from the requirements for teethers, rattles and squeeze toys.

5. Specific toys with approximately spherical ends: Change the title from Specific toys with spherical ends to Specific toys with approximately spherical ends. Approximately spherical, hemispherical, dumbbell or dome-shaped ends are included in this requirement.

6. Yo-Yo: Revise the test method for measuring the extension length of the rope when rotating.
7. Stability and overload requirements for ride-on toys and seats: Clarify seat design changes and test methods, including forward, backward and side directions. Toy seats also need to be tested for stability.

It also clarifies that " toy seats " are included in the standard, but furniture is exempt from this requirement; it also clarifies the requirements for overload test time, which were mentioned in previous standards.

On August 24, 2017, ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials , released the "Consumer Safety Specification – Toy Safety": ASTM F963-17

On August 24 , 2017 , the American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM released the consumer safety specification - Toy Safety ASTM F963-17 .

The revision of the ASTM F963-17 version is due to the error in the final voting of ASTM F 963-16 , which resulted in the omission of text in the version. The CPSC is aware of this issue and exercises discretion over the information above. Therefore, ASTM F 963-17 has no substantial impact .

The main update compared to the ASTM F963-16 version is the requirements for energy-storage projectile toys marked as follows:  According to the 8.14.5 test method, when the kinetic energy of the projectile of the projectile test product is greater than 0.08J , the kinetic energy of the projectile per unit area KED shall not exceed 2500 J/m2  in accordance with the test method of 8.14.6 .

On October 13, 2023, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) released the revised F963 consumer safety specification for toy safety: ASTM F963-23

Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, once a revised standard is published and ASTM formally notifies the CPSC, the CPSC has 90 days to object to any changes that they believe will not improve toy safety. If no objection is raised, then 180 days after notification, the revision will become mandatory .

Key updates in this revision :