ASTM F963-23 compliance: Navigating U.S. toy safety standards

First Published: October 2024

ASTM F963 – The mandatory toy safety standard in the U.S.

ASTM F963, also known as the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, is a comprehensive toy safety standard developed by ASTM International. This specification addresses a wide array of safety requirements for children's toys and is critical for manufacturers, importers, and retailers in the U.S. toy industry.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) mandates compliance with ASTM F963, making it a legally enforceable standard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees its implementation and enforcement. ASTM F963-23, the latest revision, became effective on 20 April 2024, replacing ASTM F963-17.

This article provides an overview of ASTM F963, outlines its requirements, and highlights the most recent updates to the standard.

Scope of ASTM F963 and exemptions

ASTM F963 applies to any product designed, manufactured, or marketed as a toy for children under the age of 14. The standard defines a "toy" as any object intended for use in play by children.

However, certain products are specifically excluded from the scope of ASTM F963, including:

• Bicycles and tricycles
• Non-powered scooters (ASTM F2264) and powered recreational scooters (ASTM F2641)
• Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
• Playground equipment
• Non-powder guns
• Kites
• Hobby and craft items not primarily intended as toys
• Model kits not primarily intended as toys
• Crayons, paints, chalks, and similar art materials
• Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment, musical instruments, juvenile products, and furniture (except toy versions of such products)
• Powered models of aircraft, rockets, boats, and land vehicles (except toy versions of such products)
• Constant air inflatables

These exceptions ensure that products covered by a specific ASTM safety standard or with different risk profiles or uses fall under their appropriate standards.

Key requirements of ASTM F963

ASTM F963 encompasses a broad range of safety requirements. Not all sections apply to every toy, but some key requirements apply to most:

• Material quality (4.1): Ensures materials used in toys are safe and suitable for their intended use
• Paint and similar surface-coating materials (4.3.5.1(2)): Restricts the use of hazardous substances in surface coatings
• Toy substrate materials (4.3.5.2): Specifies requirements for hazardous substances in accessible materials, other than coatings, to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals
• Cleanliness of liquids, pastes, gels, and similar materials (4.3.6): Ensures that certain toy materials are free from harmful contamination
• Small objects (4.6): Prevents the inclusion of small parts that could pose choking hazards for young children
• Accessible edges (4.7) and points (4.9): Regulates the design of edges and points to avoid injury
• Projections (4.8): Limits dangerous protrusions that could cause harm
• Producer’s markings (7): Requires proper labelling for identification and traceability

The full standard can be purchased from ASTM International or viewed in a read-only format via ASTM’s Electronic Reading Room.

Key updates in ASTM F963-23

The latest revision, ASTM F963-23, became the mandatory toy safety standard in the U.S. as of 20 April 2024. This revision introduced significant updates, reflecting advancements in toy safety and aligning with regulatory requirements.

Key changes included updates to safety specifications for:

• Battery-operated toys: Enhanced safety measures for toys powered by batteries to address electrical risks.
• Expanding materials: Revised guidelines for toys that expand when exposed to moisture.
• Sound-producing toys (acoustics): Updated noise level requirements to protect children's hearing.
• Projectile toys: New testing protocols to minimize the risk of injury from flying projectiles.

Additionally, ASTM F963-23 aligned with the CPSC’s requirements for:

• Phthalate content: Limits on harmful chemicals often used to soften plastics.
• Heavy elements (metals): Updated exemptions for toy substrate materials to ensure safer use of metals.
• Tracking labels (CPSIA Section 103): Enhanced labelling requirements for children’s products to ensure traceability and compliance.

All toys manufactured on or after 20 April 2024, are required to undergo testing in a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory to ensure compliance with ASTM F963-23.

How can Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines help?

A number of our laboratories in Asia (including China), Europe and the U.S. are CPSC-accepted testing laboratories to conduct ASTM F963 and issue Children’s Product Certificate, check out the full list at the CPSC official site.

If your products require compliance with ASTM F963-23, contact us today. Our toy safety experts are ready to guide you through the testing and certification process to ensure your toys meet the required safety standards.