Children's Toy Safety ASTM F963-23 Testing

Introduction to the ASTM F963 Standard

ASTM F963 is a consumer safety specification for toy safety developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and published under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its full name is the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety. Originally a voluntary standard, the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (cpsia) established it as a mandatory safety standard for children's toys in the United States, and it was incorporated into federal regulations 16 CFR Part 1250 by the CPSC for mandatory enforcement. The previous federal mandatory version was astm f963-17, implemented on September 1, 2017. The ASTM F963-23 version was approved by the CPSC and took effect on April 20, 2024, becoming the new mandatory version.

ASTM F963 covers multiple dimensions of safety requirements, including the mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical toxicity, electrical safety, and microbiological safety of toys. It aims to reduce or prevent the risk of injury or death to children caused by mechanical, chemical, and other hazardous factors during the use of toys.

astm f963 testing Scope

The ASTM F963 standard itself applies to toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age. However, it should be noted that the CPSC's mandatory testing and certification requirements for ASTM F963 only apply to toy products primarily designed or intended for children 12 years of age and younger. For toys intended for ages 13 and older, although some requirements of the ASTM F963 standard may apply, CPSC-accepted third-party testing is not required, nor is a CPC (Children's Product Certificate) required.

The scope of toys defined by ASTM F963 covers various children's play items, but the following products are explicitly excluded:

• Bicycles and tricycles

• Slingshots and sharp-pointed darts

• Playground equipment

• Non-powder guns

• Kites

• Model kits (where the finished product is primarily for non-play purposes)

• Crayons, paints, chalk, and other similar art materials

• Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment, musical instruments, juvenile products, and furniture (except for their toy counterparts)

• Inflatable water flotation toys, etc.

ASTM F963 Testing Items

The testing content of ASTM F963 primarily covers three major sectors:

1. Physical and Mechanical Performance testing

This primarily evaluates the physical safety of toys during use and abuse, including:

• Small parts testing — to prevent choking hazards from ingestion

• Sharp points and sharp edges testing — to prevent scratches or punctures

• Impact and drop tests

• Tension testing (component removal)

• Compression and flexure tests

• Wire bending tests

• Safety requirements for cords, straps, and elastics

• Magnet safety — to prevent ingestion hazards of high-powered magnets

• Sound-producing toys — limiting sound pressure output to prevent hearing damage

• Battery safety — protecting children from battery ingestion and leakage hazards

2. Flammability Testing

This evaluates the flammability of toy materials, requiring that non-textile materials used in toys must not be highly flammable, and toy textiles must comply with the requirements of 16 CFR 1610. The self-sustaining burn rate of toys along the major axis after ignition must be less than 2.5 mm/s. The flammability requirements (Section 4.2) in ASTM F963 that are already mandated by the CPSC are not included in the mandatory testing scope of 16 CFR Part 1250.

3. Chemical Performance Testing

Chemical performance testing includes:

• Heavy metal content testing (eight soluble heavy metals + total lead): Controls 8 soluble heavy metals such as lead and cadmium; the limit for lead is ≤90ppm.

• Total lead content testing: Total lead content in toy surface coatings and substrates; the limit for surface coating lead is 90ppm.

• Phthalates testing (6P): Focuses on 6 specific phthalates.

4. Other Tests (depending on product type)

• Microbiological testing — for products like finger paints and soap bubbles.

• Electric toy safety testing — for toys with batteries or electrical drives.

• Expanding materials safety testing — for special materials like water-absorbing beads.

Standards and Regulations

Important Regulatory Notes:

• CPSIA Section 106 explicitly mandates ASTM F963 as the mandatory consumer product safety standard for children's toys, which has been codified into 16 CFR Part 1250.

• Certain provisions in ASTM F963 that are already mandated by the CPSC (such as Section 4.2 flammability requirements and FDA-jurisdictional provisions) do not need to be included in the mandatory testing scope of 16 CFR Part 1250.

• The latest supplementary edition of ASTM F963 (published in December 2025) establishes specific mandatory safety requirements for water bead toys, effective March 12, 2026.

Why Testing and Certification Are Needed

• Mandated by U.S. Law: Under CPSIA regulations, all toys intended for children 12 years of age and younger must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory, and a CPC (Children's Product Certificate) must be issued.

• Prerequisite for Market Entry: ASTM F963 certification is a strict requirement for toys entering the U.S. market. E-commerce platforms like Amazon also have TIC audit checkpoints for sellers; only products that pass ASTM F963 testing and provide valid test reports and CPC certificates can be listed for sale.

• Ensuring Child Safety: Comprehensively testing the physical, mechanical, flammability, and chemical safety performance of toys reduces the risks of accidents such as choking, scratches, and poisoning.

• Mitigating Regulatory Risk: Avoids consequences such as product recalls, fines, lawsuits, and platform delistings caused by product non-compliance.

Testing and Certification Cycle

Note: The efficiency of different testing agencies varies slightly; it is recommended to confirm the specific cycle in advance when selecting an agency. Provided that the product design, materials, and regulatory requirements have not changed, the ASTM F963 test report is valid long-term, with no subsequent factory audits or annual fees required.

Documents Required for Testing and Certification

Conducting ASTM F963 testing typically requires the following documentation:

If the product involves third-party manufacturing, corresponding labeling documents must also be provided, including the Tracking Label and compliance declarations (GCC/CPC).

Testing Agency Selection and Process

You must choose a third-party laboratory (such as JJR LAB) with CPSC-accepted accreditation as well as CMA/CNAS accreditations.

Testing and Certification Process:

1. Consultation and Assessment: Provide product images, materials, age grading, and other information to the testing agency.

2. Review and Sample Preparation: Submit samples and certification materials.

3. Contracting and Laboratory Testing: The laboratory conducts tests in accordance with the ASTM F963 standard.

4. Report Issuance: Upon passing the test, an ASTM F963 test report is obtained, which is used to issue the CPC certificate.

Precautions

• The current mandatory version of ASTM F963 changed to ASTM F963-23 on April 20, 2024. Products previously shipped under F963-17 must transition to the latest version of the standard as soon as possible.

• For toys intended for ages 14 and older, the CPSC does not mandate third-party testing and CPC Certification, but they must still comply with general product safety requirements.

• In the event of material changes or continuous production, manufacturers must conduct periodic testing at least annually to ensure the product consistently meets standard requirements.

• The ASTM F963-26 version is currently in development, adding safety requirements for rechargeable lithium batteries, with a focus on testing for overheating and short-circuit prevention. Close attention should be paid to standard updates for children's toys with built-in lithium batteries.

• Manufacturers are independently responsible for determining the specific standard provisions applicable to their products.