SGS Offers Guidance On Revised US Toy Safety Standard (ASTM F963-16)

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has published a revision to US toy safety standard ASTM F963. Now known as ASTM F963-16, it becomes a mandatory requirement from April 30, 2017.

Thanks to its knowledge of the global toy market, SGS believes that some changes will help align US requirements with Europe’s (EN 71) and international (ISO 8124) toy standards. Based on the views of SGS toy experts, ASTM F963-16 will not affect most toy manufacturers.

However, the manufacturers who need to take note of the new regulations include those making projectile-launching products, and those with products using rechargeable batteries, Lithium Ion batteries, or small button cell batteries with a voltage of 1.5v or more.

Here are the revisions to the 2011 version of the US toy standard:

Projectiles:
1. Changed to align with ISO 8124 and EN71
2. Allowable projectile KED is now 2,500 J/m2
3. Added 57mm length requirement for suction cup projectiles
4. Additional requirements for mouth-activated projectile toys
5. Foam dart and suction cup requirements
6. Use of gauge for leading edge radius measurements of rigid projectiles
7. Other miscellaneous editorial changes

Batteries:
1. Coin/button cell battery requirements
2. Additional labeling (in Section 5)
3. Lithium batteries – added temperature/current requirements
4. Definitions for secondary cell and rechargeable batteries added

Toy Chests:
Requirements for toy chests were included in the F963 toy standard, including the need for warning labels and specific instructional literature. The separate ASTM F834 Toy Chest standard was discontinued.

Magnets:
1. Changed to align requirements with ISO 8124 and EN71
2. Added:
o Soaking test and compression test
o Gauss meter accuracy specs
o Metal discs specified
o Other miscellaneous changes

Heavy Elements:
• Clarified requirements for heavy metals in textiles and stickers
• Clarified that metal extraction test is only required if total Cadmium content is 75 ppm or greater
• Addition of HD-XRF for total screen for homogenous polymers

Microbiological safety:
1. Requirements clarified and defined
2. Alternative methods such as CTFA allowed
3. Stuffing cleanliness: test method simplified

Acoustics:
1. Revised to align more closely with EN71 and ISO 8124
2. Added definition for push/pull toys

Cords and elastics:
1. Editorial changes to clarify requirements

Stuffing material requirements:
1. State requirements have been removed and changed the test method
2. Evaluation revised to include the use of a stereo wide field microscope

Miscellaneous changes:
1. Strap exemption for ride-on toys
2. Curb impact for ride-on toys
3. Further clarify overload and stability requirements for ride-on toys
4. Clarify non-powered scooters are excluded from scope and are covered by ASTM F2264
5. Requirements for expanding materials

Labeling:
1. Added labeling requirements for button or coin cell batteries
2. Magnets labeling has been revised
3. Slight revisions to battery operated toy instructional labeling
4. Additions to Toy Chest instructional labeling and producer’s markings

More about ASTM and SGS
ASTM publishes a ‘redline’ version of each revised standard showing the changes as red text. SGS will help to ensure that manufacturers comply with the revised regulations, using its global network of toy experts and testing facilities. The SGS labs are internationally recognized by major industry associations, accreditation bodies and authorities including three EU Notified Bodies. SGS has approximately 40 CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories.

SGS offers consultation and comprehensive testing services (physical/mechanical, chemical, flammability, electrical safety) covering international product safety and regulatory standards for a wide range of toys.

For further information, go to SGS Toys or contact:

Piyush Shah
Technical Director - Hardlines
SGS North America Inc.

Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: http://www.sgs.com/toys

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 90,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

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Chitcombe Road
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This release was published on openPR.