Press release
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.
1, Mons Calpe
Chitcombe Road
Broad Oak
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 6EU
This release was published on openPR.
Permanent link to this press release:
Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
You can edit or delete your press release SGS Offers Guidance On Revised US Toy Safety Standard (ASTM F963-16) here
News-ID: 515480 • Views: …
More Releases from SGS
SGS Summarizes Impact of EU Postponement of RED Cybersecurity Regulation Enforce …
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 095.23 to help stakeholders understand the impact of the decision to postpone the enforcement of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) delegated act for cybersecurity until 2025.
The European Commission (EC) originally planned to enforce the delegated act from August 2024. However, delays in the preparation of harmonized standards have meant the EC has now taken the decision to enforce…
SGS Issues SafeGuardS for US CPSC Direct Final Rule for Bedside Sleepers
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS covering a recent direct final rule for bedside sleepers issued by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).
Direct final rule 16 CFR 1222 was published on May 9, 2023, revising the safety standard for bedside sleepers. It incorporates the latest version of ASTM F2906-23 (Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bedside Sleepers) with a modification. The modification involves…
SGS Announces Complementary Webinar to Help Businesses Navigate Post-Brexit Euro …
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has announced a webinar to help companies operating in European personal protective equipment (PPE) markets understand the implications of Brexit and the best route towards compliance.
"Personal Protective Equipment: overview of EU and UK requirements" will be offered in two sessions on February 9, 2023, at 10.00 CET and 16.00 CET. It is aimed at operators throughout the PPE value chain, including…
Patented pest management products now available direct from manufacturer
In 2023, IPS is taking a new pathway in the distribution of the company's flagship products.
It is now possible to purchase the CLTab and SPTab solutions under the Insectrac brand name directly from IPS, the manufacturer.
The company behind these unique products is International Pheromone Systems a customer-orientated company with 35 years of experience in developing, producing, and supplying high-quality insect pheromone and kairomone formulations and associated trapping systems to a…
More Releases for ASTM
Separately Sold Bean Bag Covers Included in Updated ASTM F1912 Standard
ASTM International has updated its safety standard specifications for bean bag chairs and bean bag covers. ASTM F1912-19 now covers bean bag covers that are sold separately.
Following the recall of a bean bag chair covers that used zippers that could be opened by children in January 2018, ASTM Subcommittee F15.39 has revised ASTM F1912 – Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Covers. The standard…
ASTM International Publishes Revised Fire Safety Standard for Candles
ASTM International has published a new version of its fire safety standard for candles – ASTM F2417. Published in October 2017, the new standard makes a number of revisions, including:
• Clearer definitions of religious/ceremonial candles based on size. In general, these candles are 17 inches or more and other candles for worship, that are used at home, are now regarded as “extended use candles”
• Candle Burning Performance Test has been altered…
ASTM Revises US Toy Standard ASTM F963
ASTM International has revised ASTM F963 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety to include editorial changes and clarify the requirements for Kinetic Energy Density. The latest version, ASTM F963-17, replaces ASTM F963-16, which only became mandatory on April 30, 2017.
The principal reason for the revision was the need to clarify the fact that the new Kinetic Energy Density (KED) only applies to projectile toys and arrows with…
ASTM F963-16 is Accepted as Mandatory Toy Safety Standard
On February 2, 2017, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct final rule in the Federal Register authorizing ASTM F963-16 as the consumer product safety standard for toys.
ASTM F963-16, issued in October 2016 by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), contains several important changes from previous versions of the standard. These include changes relating to:
• Magnets
• Projectiles
• Toy Chests
• Batteries
• Microbiological Safety
• Heavy Elements, such as heavy metals in textiles…
Voluntary Safety Standard for Liquid Laundry Packets Published by ASTM
ASTM International has published a standard for liquid laundry packets. The standard details labeling, warning statements, specifications and testing methods for determining: content retention, force compression, and the presence of aversive agents in the soluble film.
The key points of the new standard are:
• It applies exclusively to household liquid laundry detergent packets
• Packaging should be opaque or otherwise mask the visibility of the packets. Graphics that make the packaging appear translucent or…
ASTM Revises Standards for Children’s Chairs and Stools
The standards organization, ASTM International (ASTM), has revised its safety standard for Children’s Chairs and Stools. Published in May 2016, the new standard, ASTM F2613-16, replaces ASTM F2613-14.
The new standard has added a number of changes, including:
• Addition of a definition for chairs with side containment
• Revision of the definition for rigid frame
• Changing the requirement and test method for stability
• Addition of standards for sideways stability for chairs with side containment
• Addition of…
