Block Certification Standards and Testing Items

Blocks, as one of the most common children’s toys, are subject to strict safety regULations worldwide. Manufacturers, distributors, and consumers all need to understand the relevant regulations and standards.

Certification Regulations and Standard Systems

Chinese Standards (GB National Standards)

- GB 6675.1-2014 "Toy Safety – Part 1: Basic Code"

Defines basic safety requirements for toys.

- GB 6675.2-2014 "Toy Safety – Part 2: Mechanical and Physical Properties"

Core standard for block testing, specifying requirements for small parts, sharp edges, sharp points, and structural stability.

- GB 6675.3-2014 "Toy Safety – Part 3: Flammability"

Regulates flammability requirements of toy materials (blocks are usually non-flammable, but packaging materials must be considered).

- GB 6675.4-2014 "Toy Safety – Part 4: Migration of Certain Elements"

Sets limits for the migration of hazardous heavy metals (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium) in accessible toy parts. This is the core of chemical safety.

- GB 26387-2011 "Limits of Harmful Substances in Coatings for Toys"

Applies if blocks have surface coatings or paint, with requirements for formaldehyde, heavy metals, etc.

- GB/T 5296.5-2020 "Instructions for Use of Consumer Products – Part 5: Toys"

Specifies requirements for product labeling, age grading, and safety warnings.

European Standards (EN Standards)

- Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (TSD)

The legal framework for toy safety in the EU.

- EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 "Toy Safety – Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties"

Equivalent to ISO 8124-1, the main standard for physical safety.

- EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014 "Toy Safety – Part 2: Flammability"

- en 71-3:2019 "Toy Safety – Part 3: Migration of Certain Elements"

Regulates heavy metal migration, with limits similar to but slightly different from GB standards.

- reach regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

Especially Annex XVII requirements for substances of very high concern (SVHC), such as phthalates (plasticizers).

- ce marking

After compliance with the above, manufacturers must issue an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)and affix the CE mark to the product.

United States Standards (ASTM Standards)

- Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (cpsia)

The legal framework in the U.S.

- astm f963-17 "Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety"

Mandatory standard covering mechanical/physical properties, flammability, and heavy metal migration.

- Testing Requirements

Must be tested by a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory, with issuance of a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).

International Standards (ISO Standards)

- ISO 8124-1:2018 "Toy Safety – Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties"

Harmonized with EN 71-1 and ASTM F963 on most requirements, widely recognized worldwide.

02 Main Testing Items

01 Physical and Mechanical Performance Tests (Most Important)

- Small Parts Test

Using a “small parts cylinder” simulating a child’s throat: no detached part or entire block (for under 3 years) may fit entirely inside, preventing choking hazards.

- Abuse Tests

Include torque (twisting), tension (pulling), drop, and compression (stepping) tests. No small parts, sharp edges, or sharp points should result.

- Sharp Edge and Sharp Point Test

Specialized instruments evaluate risk of skin cuts from blocks or broken fragments.

- Size Test

Ensures components (e.g., cylindrical connectors) have sufficient diameter/depth to prevent choking.

- Shape and Structure

Assessed for risks such as finger entrapment.

02 Chemical Performance Tests

- Migratable Elements Test

Measures the migration of 8 heavy metals (Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Se) in a simulated gastric environment.

- Phthalates Test

For plastic blocks, checks DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP levels.

- Coating/Paint Hazardous Substances

Tests for lead content and migratable heavy metals in coatings.

- BPA (Bisphenol A) Test

Some regions (e.g., U.S.) restrict BPA levels in toy parts that may be mouthed by children.

03 Flammability Tests

Blocks are usually made of plastic or wood and are generally non-flammable, but standards still require that their burning rate not be too rapid.

Compliance Recommendations

- Define Target Market: Select applicable standards (GB, EN, ASTM) based on sales region.

- Strict Raw Material Control: Manage chemical risks at the source, requiring suppliers’ compliance reports (e.g., RoHS, REACH SVHC).

- Design Safety: Avoid small parts, sharp edges, and other hazards during design.

- Professional Testing: Send samples to accredited third-party labs (e.g., JJR Lab in China) for full compliance testing.

- Proper Labeling: Ensure packaging and product labels are clear, accurate, and regulation-compliant.