Toys' Testing

Toys, playing significant role in children's intellectual development and body health, are the most favorite partner of children, and are indispensable consumer goods in children's growing. However, some toys with potential safety hazard would lead to accidental injury while children are playing, and this may become a "killer" to children's health. Thereby, many countries make severe regulations and standards to manage this kind of products.


EU Regulations:



Regulations/

Standard

Standard  name

Content

2009/48/EC

Toy Safety Directive

EU legislation aims to ensure that toys meet safety requirements that are amongst the strictest in the world. Toy Safety  Directive 2009/48/EC (also known as "TSD") lay down the safety  criteria that toys must meet before they can be marketed in the EU

EN 71-1

Mechanical and physical properties

This  standard specifies requirements and test methods for toys intended for use by children in various age groups from birth to 14 years

EN 71-2

Flammability

This  standard specifies the categories of flammable materials that are prohibited in all toys, and requirements concerning flammability of certain toys when  they are subjected to a minor source of ignition

EN 71-3

Migration of Certain Elements

This standard specifies test methods and limits of the migration of 19 soluble  heavy metal elements from accessible materials used in toys

EN 71-4

Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities

This  standard specifies requirements for the maximum amount and, in some cases, the maximum concentration of certain substances and mixtures used in  experimental sets for chemistry and related activities

EN 71-5

Chemical toys (sets) other than  experimental sets

This  standard specified requirements and test methods for the substances and materials used in chemical toys (sets) other than experimental  sets

EN 71-7

Finger  paints - Requirements and test methods

This standard specifies requirements for the substances and materials used in finger paints

EN 71-8

Activity toys for domestic use

This standard specifies requirements and test methods for activity toys for domestic use often attached to or incorporating a crossbeam, and similar toys intended for children under 14  years to play on or in and often intended to bear the mass of one or more  children

EN 71-9

Organic chemical compounds

Requirements

This standard specifies requirements for the migration or content of certain hazardous organic chemical compounds from/in certain toys and toy materials

EN 71-10

Organic chemical compounds-

Sample preparation and extraction

This standard specifies sample preparation and extraction procedures for establishing the release or content of organic compounds from those toys for which requirements exist in EN 71-9

EN 71-11

Organic chemical compounds-

Methods of analysis

This standard specifies methods for the  analysis of toy and toy material extracts prepared according to the sampling  procedures in EN 71-10, to enable assessment of compliance with the chemical  requirements specified in EN 71-9

EN 71-12

N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances

This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for determining N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substance restricted in toys intended for use by children under 36 months or in other  toys and parts of toys intended to be placed in the mouth

EN 71-13

Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and  gustative games

This standard specifies requirements for olfactory board games, gustative board games, cosmetic kits and gustative kits

EN 71-14

Trampolines for domestic use

This standard  specifies requirements and test methods for domestic use, their access device  and their enclosures, intended for outdoor and/or indoor use above ground  level by one person at a time

EN 62115

Electric toys - Safety

This  standard specifies electrical safety requirements for toys, such as marking and instructions, power input, heating and abnormal operation, electric  strength at operating temperature, moisture resistance, electric strength at  room temperature, mechanical strength, construction, protection of cords and  wires, components, screws and connections, clearances and creepage distances,  resistance to heat and fire, radiation, toxicity and similar hazards, etc.


USA Regulations:


Regulations / Standard

Standard name

Content

CPSIA(H.R. 4040)

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

This Act mainly focuses to control product safety issues associated with consumer products that are intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger

ASTM F963

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety

This specification covers requirements and contains test methods for toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age, including but not limited to Mechanical and physical properties, Flammability properties, Chemical properties, Electrical properties, Microbiological requirements, Labeling requirements