U.S. CPSC Water Bead Toy Compliance Requirements!

On December 12, 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a final rule, adding a new federal toy safety standard 16 CFR 1250.4 "Requirements for Water Beads" and inserting a new item 1112.15(b)(32)(iv) in 16 CFR 1112 (Requirements Pertaining to Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies). This new item mandates that third-party conformity assessment bodies conducting conformity assessments on water bead toys in accordance with this standard must obtain CPSC acceptance.

The main contents of 16 CFR 1250.4 "Requirements for Water Beads" are as follows:

Scope of Application

①　pplies to water bead toys and toys containing water beads.

②　A water bead is defined as a various shaped liquid absorbent polymer, composed of materials such as, but not limited to, polyacrylamide and polyacrylate, which expands when soaked in liquid.

Mechanical Requirements

Water beads as received or water beads removed from a toy, which fit entirely inside the small parts cylinder in their dehydrated (pre-expanded) state, shall, after expansion, remain whole while completely passing through the funnel test gauge or sieve test gauge under its own weight.

Chemical Requirements

Water beads shall not have more than 325 μg of extractable acrylamide from 100 small water beads (defined as <4 mm in all dimensions prior to hydration) or from one large water bead (defined as ≥4 mm in any dimension prior to hydration).

Labeling Requirements

①　Water bead toys, packaging of water bead toys, and the container of water beads (if provided) must include the following warning:

  WARNING  Contains water beads that can grow larger when swallowed or inserted in the ear or nose. Children have DIED when the beads blocked their intestines. Inserted beads have resulted in surgeries.  Keep away from babies and toddlers. Watch older children during use.  Get medical help right away if you think your child swallowed or inserted beads.

②　Products with contained water beads (such as balls filled with water beads) and their packaging must include the following warning:

  WARNING  Contains water beads that can grow larger when swallowed or inserted in the ear or nose. Children have DIED when the beads blocked their intestines. Inserted beads have resulted in surgeries.  Keep away from babies and toddlers. Watch older children during use.  • Discard product if beads start to come out.  Get medical help right away if you think your child swallowed or inserted beads.

Effective Date

This requirement will take effect on March 12, 2026.

URL:  

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/12/2025-22643/safety-standard-for-toys-requirements-for-water-beads