Tech Watch: ASTM publishes the revised Toy Safety Standard ASTM F963-23 and notifies the CPSC
On 13 October 2023, ASTM International published ASTM F963-23 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, which incorporates amendments approved over recent years by the ASTM International F15.22 Subcommittee on Toy Safety.
Under section 106(g) of the CPSIA, if ASTM proposes revisions to ASTM F963, ASTM must notify the Commission. The revised standard shall be considered a consumer product safety standard issued by the CPSC effective 180 days after the date on which ASTM notifies the Commission of the revision, unless, within 90 days after receiving that notice, the Commission notifies ASTM that it has determined that the proposed revision does not improve the safety of toys.
On 23 October 2023, ASTM notified the CPSC that the revised ASTM F963-23, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, has been published. Based on the timeline in Section 106(g) of the CPSIA, ASTM F963-23 will become a mandatory toy safety standard effective 20 April 2024, unless the CPSC rejects those revisions by 21 January 2024.
Technical requirements for the following toy safety requirements were revised:
- Battery-operated toys
- Expanding materials
- Sound producing toys (acoustics)
- Projectile toys
The standard was also revised to align with the CPSC requirements for phthalate content, heavy elements (metals) – toy substrate material exemptions, and CPSIA Section 103 tracking labels for children’s products.
The CPSC, on 2 November 2023, has published notice of availability and request for comment, to seek public comment on whether the revisions improve the safety of toys. The public comments will help the staff's assessment and any subsequent Commission consideration of the revisions of the toy safety standard. The deadline for public comment is 16 November 2023.
Sources:
- CPSC Notice of availability and request for comment
- Revised ASTM F963-23 can be purchased from ASTM International
Enquiry:
For questions and additional information, please contact Dr Pratik Ichhaporia (pratikichhaporia@eurofinsus.com,+1-669-837-2257) or David Hong (David.Hong@cpt.eurofinscn.com).