Toy Safety Regulations

Compliance with Toy Safety Regulations: Ensuring Consumer Safety

As a responsible toy manufacturer, it is essential to understand and comply with the intricate web of toy safety regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations not only puts children at risk but also exposes manufacturers to legal penalties and potential product recalls.

At QIMA, our regulatory experts help you navigate toy product compliance, shedding light on the importance of compliance, the global landscape of regulations, and the steps you can take to ensure your toys meet all relevant safety standards.

Global Toy Safety Regulations and Standards

Toy safety regulations vary across different regions. Toy manufacturers must be aware of and comply with the regulations in the markets they operate in. Key child toy safety regulations and standards include, but are not limited to:

North America

• United States: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA): The CPSIA is a U.S. regulation aimed at enhancing the safety of consumer products, including toys, by setting stringent standards and requirements.

• United States: 16 CFR 1250 & ASTM F963: 16 CFR 1250 establishes a consumer product safety standard for toys that mandates compliance with provisions of ASTM F963. ASTM F963 is a toy safety standard developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to ensure the safety of toys sold in the U.S., covering various safety aspects.

• Canada: Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA): The CCPSA aims to protect the safety of children and caregivers by developing regulations that reduce mechanical, flammability, toxicological, electrical, and thermal safety issues.

• Canada: SOR/2011-17: Toy Regulations (SOR/2011-17) help protect children in Canada from a wide range of hazards when they interact with toys.

Europe

• European Union: Toy Safety Directive and EN 71 standards: The Toy Safety Directive, along with the EN 71 standards, establishes safety requirements for toys sold within the European Union, covering aspects such as mechanical, physical, and chemical properties.

• European Union: EC No. 1907/2006 REACH regulation: The REACH regulation aims to ensure the safe use of chemicals in the European Union, including those used in toys, by assessing and managing potential risks to human health and the environment.

Asia-Pacific

• China: GB 6675 Toy Safety Standard: GB 6675 is a national toy safety standard in China that outlines safety requirements for toys sold in the Chinese market, covering aspects such as mechanical, physical, and flammability properties.

• Japan: ST Toy Safety Standard: The ST standard in Japan sets safety requirements for toys sold in the country, focusing on aspects such as chemical substances, flammability, and physical properties.

• Australia and New Zealand: AS/NZS ISO 8124: AS/NZS ISO 8124 is an Australian and New Zealand standard that aligns with the international ISO 8124 standard, ensuring the safety of toys in terms of mechanical, physical, and chemical properties.

International

• ISO 8124: ISO 8124 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides guidelines for the safety of toys, covering various aspects including mechanical, physical, and chemical properties.

These are not the only regulations that may govern toy safety in your destination market. For a more comprehensive list of toy safety regulations, visit our toy safety testing page. QIMA experts can help you determine which tests you need for your product and destination market to ensure compliance.

Phthalates and PVC in Toys: A Case Study on Toxic Toys

Phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been considered long-standing health risks, especially in children’s toys. Phthalates are frequently found in PVC and have been linked to asthma, allergies, and other negative health conditions. They are also a common cause of toy recalls.

In 2022, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 34% of all recalls were issued for children’s products (a 6% increase from the year prior). The majority of these were categorized as children’s toys, with harmful chemicals making up a significant portion of the recalls. Similarly, of the EU’s total toy recalls in 2022, 28% of them were due to excess amounts of phthalates found in the toys and were considered a “serious risk”. These products violated the US CPSIA and EU REACH regulations respectively, and resulted in penalties and restrictions from the market.

Phthalates are one of many chemicals whose use is restricted in children’s toys, and some regulatory bodies, such as the CPSC, require laboratory testing to ensure your products are free from hazardous substances. Working with a third-party expert helps you achieve compliance and avoid the legal, financial, and reputational damages of recalls for toxic toys.

Achieve Compliance with Laboratory Testing

Compliance with toy safety regulations is crucial for toy manufacturers worldwide. By adhering to these regulations, manufacturers can ensure consumer safety, maintain brand reputation, and mitigate legal and financial risks.

QIMA's expertise in toy safety testing and compliance can support manufacturers in meeting these regulatory requirements while upholding in-house and international quality and safety standards. We’ll help you navigate the complexities of toy safety regulations to ensure safe, satisfied customers.

For further information or assistance with toy safety compliance, please contact our experts or learn more about laboratory toy safety testing.

More Resources

Toy Safety Checklist - Learn more about the leading toy safety issues and what tests are required to reduce incidents.

Toy Safety Testing in the UK: What Manufacturers Need to Know - Learn about how to ensure compliance with the UK’s toy testing requirements.

What Safety Standards Should Electric Toys Meet? - Read about what standards and regulations apply to your electric toy products and what regions they apply to.