ASTM F963-23 Lithium-Ion Battery Requirements for Toys

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Update time : 2026-02-03

What is the ASTM F963-23 Test Standard?

ASTM F963-23 is a mandatory safety standard in the United States for children's toys intended for children under 14 years of age. Issued by ASTM International (ASTM) on October 13, 2023, the standard was formally approved and became effective by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on April 20, 2024, superseding the previous version, astm f963-17.

This standard aims to ensure that toys do not cause harm to children during normal use or under reasonably foreseeable abuse. Its scope covers critical aspects of toys including physical and mechanical properties, flammability, chemical toxicology, and electrical safety. For toys incorporating lithium-ion batteries, ASTM F963-23 establishes more stringent safety requirements.

Core Safety Requirements for Toys with Lithium-Ion Batteries

The ASTM F963-23 standard has significantly strengthened safety regulations for battery-operated toys, with major updates focusing on battery accessibility and mechanical and physical safety.

①　Stricter Abuse Testing: The standard explicitly mandates that toys designed for children over 8 years old (previously primarily targeting younger age groups) must also undergo abuse testing (e.g., drop, torque, compression tests) and comply with the test conditions applicable to children aged 3 to 8 years. This ensures that batteries do not shift, become damaged, or pose hazards following abuse testing.

②　Battery Compartment Fasteners: Fasteners on battery compartments (e.g., screws) must not detach after abuse testing to prevent children from easily accessing the batteries.

③　Special Tool Instructions: If a toy is supplied with a special tool (e.g., a specialized screwdriver) for opening the battery compartment, the instructions must clearly remind consumers to store the tool securely, specify that it should be kept out of children's reach, and state that the tool itself is not a toy.

Overview of astm f963-23 test Items

Toys equipped with lithium-ion batteries must pass a series of rigorous test evaluations to ensure their overall safety. The primary test items cover the following categories:

Test Category	Core Purpose	Key Example Items
Physical & Mechanical Testing	Evaluate toy structural integrity and prevent risks such as small parts detachment and sharp edges	Abuse testing (drop, torque, tension), small parts testing, accessible sharp edges and points testing
Chemical Safety Testing	Ensure hazardous substance content in materials does not exceed limits	Total lead content (90 ppm limit for coatings), migration of specific elements (8 types including cadmium, mercury), phthalate content (0.1% limit for 8 types)
Electrical Safety Testing	Assess battery system safety and prevent overheating, fire, and explosion	Battery charge-discharge testing, short circuit protection, temperature rise testing
Labeling & Marking Check	Ensure clear and traceable product information	New traceability labeling requirements, including manufacturer, production date and location, batch number, etc.

Market Access and E-Commerce Platform Requirements

Compliance with the ASTM F963-23 standard and obtaining the corresponding certification is a mandatory requirement for products entering the U.S. market or being sold on major e-commerce platforms.

①　Mandatory Certification: All children's products must be accompanied by a Children's Product Certificate (CPC). The CPC must be based on an ASTM F963-23 compliance test report issued by a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory.

②　E-Commerce Platform Compliance: Major U.S. cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and TEMU mandate that sellers provide a valid CPC and its supporting astm f963-23 test report; otherwise, products will not be eligible for listing.

Process for Obtaining ASTM F963-23 Test Reports

Obtaining an ASTM F963-23 test report and CPC typically involves the following key steps:

1. Confirm Test Requirements: First, clarify the product characteristics and the specific test items applicable to it.

2. Select an Accredited Laboratory: Submit product samples to JJR LAB, a CPSC-accredited third-party testing laboratory, for testing.

3. Sample Testing and Report Issuance: After the laboratory completes testing in accordance with the standard, a detailed test report will be issued.

4. Issue cpc certificate: The manufacturer or importer independently drafts and issues the Children's Product Certificate (CPC) based on the qualified test report.

Common Toy Types Requiring Standard Compliance

A wide range of toys with lithium-ion batteries must comply with ASTM F963-23, primarily including:

①　Electric ride-on toys: e.g., children's electric vehicles, remote-controlled cars, etc.

②　Interactive electronic toys: e.g., smart robots, talking dolls, advanced electronic learning toys, etc.

③　Remote-controlled toys: e.g., remote-controlled airplanes, drones, remote-controlled boats, etc.

④　Other high-tech toys: Various electronic toys with sound and light effects or complex functions, as long as they are designed for children under 14 and contain lithium-ion batteries, generally need to comply with this standard.

Summary

The implementation of the ASTM F963-23 standard has established a stricter safety threshold for toys with lithium-ion batteries sold in the U.S. market.