Amazon US Toy ASTM F963-23 Testing

Selling toys in the U.S. requires strict compliance with safety standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). One of the most important regulations is ASTM F963-23. Amazon's U.S. platform enforces these rules strictly for toy products. Non-compliance can result in listing removal, fines, or legal action. This article provides a professional overview of ASTM F963-23 to help sellers operate compliantly.

Overview of ASTM F963-23

ASTM F963 is the U.S. toy safety standard, developed by ASTM International and adopted by the CPSC as mandatory. The latest version, ASTM F963-23, came into effect in October 2023, replacing the previous 2017 version. It updates several testing requirements to improve toy safety.

► Scope:

- Applies to toys intended for children aged 14 and under.

- Covers physical/mechanical properties, chemical safety, flammability, and electrical safety.

- Applicable to all toy products sold on Amazon U.S., including private label and third-party brands.

Core Requirements of ASTM F963-23

► 3.1 Physical and Mechanical Safety

• Small Parts

- Toys for children under 36 months must not contain small parts.

- Must pass the small parts cylinder test (16 mm diameter).

• Sharp Edges and Points

- Toys must not have accessible sharp edges or points.

- Tests follow 16 CFR 1500.48/49.

• Pinching and Crushing Hazards

- Movable parts (e.g., hinges) must not trap fingers.

- Must meet a clearance gap of 5mm to 12mm.

• Projectile Toys

- Projectiles must not have sharp tips.

- Kinetic energy must not exceed 0.08 joules.

• Stuffed and Plush Toys

- Seams must meet strength standards to prevent stuffing leakage.

- Eyes, noses, and other small parts must pass a 90N tension test.

► 3.2 Chemical Safety

• Heavy Metals

- Lead content must not exceed 100 ppm (per CPSC 16 CFR 1303).

- Other metals (e.g., cadmium, mercury, arsenic) must meet ASTM F963-23 and CPSIA limits.

• Phthalates

- Six types (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP) must each be ≤ 0.1%.

- Applies to all materials, not just accessible parts.

• Other Substances

- Restrictions apply to formaldehyde, azo dyes, PAHs, and similar hazardous substances.

► 3.3 Flammability

• Textile materials must comply with 16 CFR 1610.

• Stuffed toys must pass flammability testing under 16 CFR 1500.44.

► 3.4 Electrical Safety (for electric or battery-powered toys)

• Must meet UL 696 or IEC 62115 standards.

• Toys must be protected against short circuits, overheating, and leakage.

► 3.5 Labeling and Warnings

• Age grading (e.g., “3+” or “Not for children under 3 yrs”).

• Small parts warning (e.g., “Choking hazard—small parts”).

• Battery warnings (e.g., “Do not mix old and new batteries”).

• Compliance statement (e.g., “Complies with ASTM F963-23”).

Key Differences: ASTM F963-23 vs. astm f963-17

• Projectile toy testing is now stricter with defined kinetic energy limits.

• Phthalate testing now applies to all materials, not just accessible ones.

• Magnetic toy restrictions have been tightened, removing previous exemptions.

• Button battery warnings have been added to improve safety standards.

Amazon U.S. Compliance Requirements

• Provide a test report from a CPSC-accepted lab (ISO 17025 certified).

• Products must include traceability labels (e.g., manufacturer name and production date).

• Submit a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) showing compliance with ASTM F963-23.

• Include age warnings and safety labels on both packaging and products.

How to Ensure Compliance?

1. Choose compliant suppliers— Ensure raw materials meet ASTM F963-23.

2. Use third-party testing— Work with CPSC-approved labs (e.g., JJR Lab in China).

3. Prepare CPC certificate— Include product info, test standards, and manufacturer details.

4. Label products properly— Add age grading, warnings, and traceability labels.

5. Retest regularly— Regulations may update; retesting every 1–2 years is recommended.

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Amazon Listing Removal— Listings may be removed without valid CPC or test reports.

• Customs Seizure— CPSC may randomly inspect and detain non-compliant imports.

• Legal Liability— Injuries caused by non-compliant toys can lead to lawsuits and large compensation claims.