November 7, 2016
ASTM International (ASTM) has published the 2016 update to its toy safety standard. ASTM F963 - 16 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety provides the following updates:
- new requirements to the already extensive section on battery safety;
- soaking and compression tests for magnets;
- changes to requirements for toys involving projectiles;
- new requirements for materials and toys that could expand if accidentally swallowed;
- new requirements and clarifications related to microbiological safety;
- clarifications to requirements related to heavy elements in the substrate materials of toys and the addition of an optional, alternate test method for total screen testing;
- a new curb impact requirement, a clarification of overload and stability requirements, and a strap exemption for ride-on toys; and,
- clarification of requirements and supplemental guidance for impact hazards.
Developed by subcommittee F15.22 on Toy Safety, ASTM F963-16 was published on October 20, 2016. It will become the mandatory toy safety standard 180 days after ASTM notifies the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the publication, unless the CPSC does not approve the revision within 90 days after notification from ASTM.