What is Toy ASTM F963-23 Testing

To sell toy products in the US market, they must comply with the safety standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), among which ASTM F963-23 is one of the core toy safety regulations. Amazon's US marketplace has strict compliance requirements for the toy category. Sellers must ensure their products meet this standard; otherwise, they may face product delisting, fines, or even legal risks.

Introduction to the ASTM F963-23 Standard

ASTM F963 is the US toy safety standard developed by ASTM International and adopted by the CPSC as a mandatory standard. The 2023 version (ASTM F963-23) took effect in October 2023, replacing the previous astm f963-17 version. It primarily updated certain testing requirements to enhance the safety of children's toys.

Scope of Application

• Applicable to toys intended for use by children aged 14 and under.

• Covers physical and mechanical performance, chemical performance, flammability, and electrical safety, among other aspects.

• Applicable to toy products (including private labels and third-party brands) sold on the Amazon US marketplace.

ASTM F963-23 Requirements

1. Physical and Mechanical Performance Requirements

(1) Small Parts Restrictions

• Toys used by children under 36 months must not contain small parts (to prevent choking hazards from swallowing).

• Must be tested and pass the small parts cylinder test (16mm diameter cylinder).

(2) Sharp Edges and Sharp Points

• Toys must not have accessible sharp edges or sharp points (according to 16 CFR 1500.48/49).

• Edge testing and point testing are required.

(3) Pinching and Crushing Hazards

• Movable parts of toys (e.g., hinges, folding mechanisms) must avoid pinching children's fingers.

• Must meet the clearance test requirements (5mm - 12mm).

(4) Projectile Toys

• Projectiles (e.g., toy gun bullets) must not have sharp ends, and their kinetic energy must meet limits (e.g., projectile kinetic energy ≤ 0.08 J).

(5) Stuffed and Plush Toys

• Seam strength must meet the standard (to prevent the filling from falling out and causing a choking hazard).

• Small parts such as eyes and noses must pass the tension test (90N).

2. Chemical Performance Requirements

(1) Heavy Metals Restrictions

• Must comply with CPSC 16 cfr 1303 (lead content ≤ 100 ppm).

• Other heavy metals (such as cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc.) must comply with ASTM F963-23 and cpsia requirements.

(2) Phthalates Restrictions

• The content of 6 types of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP) must not exceed 0.1% each (according to CPSIA Section 108).

(3) Other Chemical Substances

• Formaldehyde, azo dyes, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), etc., must comply with relevant restrictions.

3. Flammability Requirements

• Textile materials must comply with 16 CFR 1610 (general flammability standard).

• Stuffed toys must pass 16 CFR 1500.44 (flammability testing).

4. Electrical Safety Requirements (e.g., Battery-Operated Toys)

• Battery-operated toys must comply with UL 696 or IEC 62115 (international standard for electric toys).

• Must prevent risks such as short circuits, overheating, and leakage.

5. Labeling and Warning Requirements

• Age grading: (e.g., "3+" or "Not for children under 3 yrs").

• Small parts warning: (e.g., "Choking hazard—small parts").

• Battery warning: (e.g., "Do not mix old and new batteries").

• Declaration of conformity: (e.g., "Complies with ASTM F963-23").

Amazon US Compliance Requirements

1. CPSC-Accepted Lab Report: You must provide a testing report from a laboratory recognized by the CPSC (with ISO 17025 accreditation).

2. Tracking Labels: Products must be marked with a tracking label (e.g., manufacturer name, production date).

3. Children's Product Certificate (CPC): A CPC must be submitted to prove compliance with ASTM F963-23.

4. On-Product Warnings: Compliance warnings (e.g., age warnings) must be clearly visible on the packaging and the product itself.