Squishy Toys CE EN71 & US CPC (ASTM F963+CPSIA)

Squishy toys (soft rubber / TPR / silicone / slow-rebound PU stress relief toys) are defaulted as children's toys in Europe and the United States: the EU applies the CE toy certification (Directive 2009/48/EC + EN71), while the US mandates the CPC certificate + ASTM F963-23 + cpsia for children under 12. The two systems are independent and cannot be used interchangeably. A detailed breakdown is provided below.

EU CE Toy Compliance

1. Mandatory Regulatory Basis

• Top-level Regulation: Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC; toys for children under 14 must bear the CE mark.

• Core Testing Standards: The complete EN71 suite (EN71-1/2/3 are mandatory; en71-9 and REACH are additionally required for special materials).

• Required Documents: EN71 Test Report + Declaration of Conformity (DoC) + eu authorized representative (EU Rep).

• 2026 Latest Update: EN71-1:2026 replaces the old version; regulations on food-shaped and water-absorbing expandable squishy toys have been tightened.

2. Three Mandatory EN71 Testing Items (Full Coverage for Squishy Toys)

① EN71-1 Mechanical and Physical Properties (Prevention of Choking, Scratching, and Splintering)

• Small Parts Test: For products intended for children under 36 months, no detached parts resulting from tension, drop, or compression abuse tests shall fit into the small parts test cylinder (strict choking hazard limit). Food-shaped squishy toys are subject to dual sensory screening.

• Sharp Edges and Points: Soft rubber edges must have no sharp cuts, and protrusions must pose no puncture risks.

• Tension / Torque: Pendants, eyes, and 3D decorations must be firmly attached and not detach.

• Expandable Materials Control: Water-absorbing expandable squishy toys have limited expansion rates to prevent internal swelling if accidentally swallowed.

• Plastic Packaging Bags: Thickness must be ≥ 0.038mm, and long bags must be perforated to prevent children from suffocating by placing them over their heads.

② EN71-2 Flammability

• Mandatory Flame Retardance for Soft Rubber and PU Materials:

• After-flame time ≤ 2s; burning droplets must not ignite absorbent cotton.

• PVC and TPR are high-risk flammable materials; their formulations must include compliant flame retardants.

③ EN71-3 Migration of Certain Elements (19 Heavy Metals)

• Simulates children biting and dissolving the toy to regulate the migration limits of 19 heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, barium, antimony, selenium, and chromium. This is the top priority for customs spot checks.

3. Additional Mandatory Material Testing (Frequently Required for Squishy Toys)

1. reach regulation:

• 6 Phthalates: Individual items ≤ 0.1%; PVC squishy toys are highly susceptible to failing this.

• SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) List: Updated annually, commonly regulating formaldehyde and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

1. Slow-Rebound PU Squishy Toys: Formamide ≤ 200μg/m³ (strictly inspected by EU customs).

2. Color Printing: Azo dyes and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

3. Silicone / Gel Types: Nitrosamines and microbial/antibacterial testing.

4. Mandatory ce label Requirements (Packaging + Product Body)

• The CE mark height must be ≥ 5mm, clear, and wipe-resistant.

• Must Indicate: Suitable age, manufacturer/importer name and address, EU Rep information, and model/batch traceability number.

• Warnings: Multilingual choking warnings prohibiting use by children under 36 months due to small parts.

• Country of origin and instructions for use.

5. CE Processing Workflow

Submit samples to a third-party laboratory → EN71 + reach testing → Issue report → Manufacturer signs DoC → Assign EU Rep → Affix CE mark to the product.

US cpc compliance

1. Regulatory Basis

• Scope of Application: Squishy toys used by or marketed to children under 12 require a legally mandated CPC certificate. Labeling them exclusively for ages 14+ or as adult stress relievers may exempt them, but e-commerce platforms very easily classify them as children's toys.

• Core Basis:

• ASTM F963-23 (mandatory latest version for all toys in the US effective April 20, 2024).

• CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) (strict limits on lead and phthalates).

• Strict Rules: The CPC certificate must be supported by an English test report issued by a CPSC-accredited laboratory on the official whitelist. The manufacturer or US importer issues the CPC certificate. Products without a formal report face immediate delisting, seizure, recall, and fines.

2. Three Core CPC Testing Items

① ASTM F963-23 Physical and Mechanical Safety

• Small Parts: Strictly prohibited from producing swallowable detached parts for ages under 3. Abuse tests: 15 lbf tension, drop, compression, and biting tests; soft rubber fragmentation must not produce small debris.

• Risks of sharp edges, points, and cord entanglement.

• Burn Rate: Burn rate < 2.5mm/s, with no risk of burns from molten droplets.

• Food-shaped squishy toys have additional regulations regarding accidental ingestion and choking.

② CPSIA Mandatory Lead Limits (Zero Tolerance)

• Surface Coatings and Printing Inks: Lead ≤ 90ppm.

• Soft Rubber, Silicone, and TPR Substrates: Total lead ≤ 100ppm.

③ Phthalates (Plasticizers, High Risk for PVC)

• ASTM F963-23 regulates 8 Phthalates, with DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP, etc., each ≤ 0.1%. Toys intended to be placed in the mouth by children under 3 face stricter controls, with additional limits on DINP, DIDP, and DNOP.

④ High-Frequency Additional Testing Items for the Squishy Toy Industry

• Formaldehyde and TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) (soft rubber odor is the leading cause for delisting).

• Microbiological and mold testing (for water-soaking and gel squishy toys).

• LHAMA toxicological evaluation (for stress toys prone to being mouthed/bitten).

3. Mandatory US Tracking Labels (All Required)

Permanent tracking labels on the product body + outer packaging:

• Manufacturer / US Importer's name, address, and contact information.

• Product model, unique batch / production date.

• Suitable age and safety warnings.

• Country of origin marking.

4. Complete CPC Processing Workflow

• Submit samples to a CPSC-accredited lab for testing.

• Obtain a passing English test report.

• The US-based importer / brand drafts and issues the CPC certificate.

• Affix permanent tracking labels to the product and packaging.

• Retain the certificate and report for inspection (customs and platforms may request them at any time).

CE (EU) vs. CPC (US) Comparison

Export Reminders for Squishy Toys

• Do Not Mix Certifications: CE reports cannot be used for US CPC. The two sets of standards have different testing methods, and platforms/customs do not recognize interchangeable reports.

• Material Red Lines: Low-quality recycled PVC materials are highly prone to exceeding phthalate and lead limits, making them a prime target for customs seizures.

• Appearance Design: 3D eyes, pendants, and detachable decorations frequently fail small parts testing. Aim for integrated molding for products intended for children under 3.

• Version Validity: The US requires ASTM F963-23; the old F963-17 version is invalid. The EU prioritizes EN71-1:2026.

• Adult Version Misconception: If the detail images or product descriptions suggest children playing with it, it will be strictly regulated as a children's toy requiring a mandatory CPC/CE.

Testing Lead Times

• CE (EN71 + REACH): 5~7 working days.

• CPC (ASTM F963 + CPSIA): 7~10 working days.

• Additional testing for TVOC, Microbiological, or Formamide: Extra 2~3 working days.