Australian Toy Export Standard AS/NZS ISO 8124

In Australia, consumer product safety is regULated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Imported products must comply with Australian safety standards, and it is prohibited to sell products that pose safety risks.

Toy Water Beads

For children’s toys(e.g., water-absorbing beads intended for play), the product must comply with:

AS/NZS ISO 8124— the international toy safety standard (ISO 8124).

Relevant Parts:

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1: Mechanical and physical properties

Covers safety against small parts (choking hazards), sharp edges, dimensional requirements, etc.

The size of water beads before and after expansion must meet safety requirements for young children.

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.3: Migration of certain elements

Limits the content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.

- AS/NZS ISO 8124.6: Determination of certain phthalates in toys

Applies if the product contains cheMICal substances (e.g., plasticizers).

Non-Toy Products

For non-toy consumer products(e.g., decorative gel beads),

the product must comply with the Consumer Goods (Safety Standards) Regulationsof Australia.

This includes general safety requirements focusing on chemical safetyand physical safety

(e.g., ensuring the beads do not easily shatter into small pieces that could be accidentally swallowed).

Testing Items

Regardless of whether the product is classified as a toy, “water bead”products are generally tested for the following aspects:

Physical Safety

- Size Test:

Measure diameter before and after expansion.

If the size is < 31.75 mm, it may be classified as a “small part”and must meet small parts safety requirements.

- Burst Resistance:

To ensure the beads do not break into hazardous fragments.

- Expansion Rate:

Prevent excessive swelling that could cause physical hazards.

Chemical Safety

- Heavy Metal Migration:

Testing for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), etc.

- Phthalate (Plasticizer) Content:

RequiRED for soft materials.

- Other Harmful Substances:

Such as formaldehyde, flame retardants, etc.

Biological Safety

- Check whether the product contains toxic microorganismsor releases toxic substances.

Labeling and Warning Requirements

Labels must comply with Australian labeling regulations, including:

- Suitable age indications

- Safety warnings (e.g., “Do not ingest,” “Adult supervision required”)

- Manufacturer/importer information