US Toy Standard ASTM F963-11 to Become Mandatory


US Toy Standard

ASTM F963-11 “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety” becomes a mandatory standard on June 12, 2012. The 2011 version of the standard was published on December 15, 2011, and as defined under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) it becomes mandatory within 180 days of publication, unless rejected by the US CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) within 90 days of publication. On February 15, 2012, the US CPSC Commissioners unanimously voted to accept the proposed revisions to ASTM F963-11 and the CPSC issued a notice in the Federal Register on February 22nd announcing their decision to accept the 2011 version of the standard as mandatory. It should be noted that ASTM F963-11 does not incorporate the provisions for toy chests from ASTM F963-07e1, section 4.27, therefore, the requirements from ASTM F963-07e1 regarding toy chests remain in effect.

Summary of Final Revisions to ASTM F963-11

  • The requirements and test methods for the Overload and Stability Sections have been clarified.
  • A definition for "toy seat" has been added.
  • Flammability: changed the word "should" to "shall" to eliminate the non-mandatory language.
  • "Packaging film" changed to "plastic film" to be more inclusive and duplicate information deleted in the Test Method Section.
  • "Resistivity" changed to "resistance" for strings and flying devices.
  • Jaw entrapment test gauge was modified to add a third dimension; also added a requirement that the gauge has to completely pass through the opening.
  • Exclusion added for soft filled rattles and teethers.
  • Exclusions added for constant air inflatable products and juvenile products from the scope of the standard.
  • Heavy metal requirements have been revised as follows:
    • total lead in surface coating limit has been reduced from 600 ppm to 90 ppm to be aligned with 16 CFR 1303;
    • new heavy metal in substrate requirement, equivalent to the European Toy Standard EN71:3, has been added;
    • new cadmium requirement added for metal components that fit within the small parts cylinder;
    • total digestion screening is allowed to determine compliance to the soluble requirement and the special soluble extraction requirement for metal small parts;
    • compositing is allowed when conducting the total digestion test only; and
    • alternative tests are allowed as long as specific conditions are met (i.e., XRF testing).
  • A Guidance Annex for the design of bath toys to minimize potential projection hazards has been added.
  • Changed "flux density" to "flux index" for toys with magnets.
Additional Information
Federal Register Announcement: http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr12/f963.pdf


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