ASTM International Publishes Revised Standard for Toy Safety

The Toy Safety Standard ASTM F963-08 has been revised to ASTM F963-11. This revision was approved on December 1, 2011 and published on December 16, 2011. ASTM International will notify the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the revised standard in accordance with Section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSC will begin their review process and has 90 days to determine if they will accept the revised ASTM F963-11. If there is no objection from the CPSC, the new version will become mandatory 180 days after the Commission was notified of the availability of the new standard which is June 13, 2012.

Summary of the Revision to ASTM F963-11:

> The requirements and test methods for the Overload and Stability Sections have been clarified.

> A definition for “toy seat” has been added.

> Flammability: changed the word “should” to “shall” to eliminate the non-mandatory language.

> “Packaging film” changed to “plastic film” to be more inclusive and duplicate information deleted in the Test Method
Section.

> “Resistivity” changed to “resistance” for strings and flying devices.

> Jaw entrapment test gauge was modified to add a third dimension; also added a requirement that the gauge has to
completely pass through the opening.

> Exclusion added for soft filled rattles and teethers.

> Exclusions added for constant air inflatable products and juvenile products from the scope of the standard.

> Heavy metal requirements have been revised as follows:

       o total lead in surface coating limit has been reduced from 600 ppm to 90 ppm to be aligned with 16 CFR 1303;
       o new heavy metal in substrate requirement, equivalent to the European Toy Standard EN71:3, has been added;
       o new cadmium requirement added for metal components that fit within the small parts cylinder;
       o total digestion screening is allowed to determine compliance to the soluble requirement and the special soluble
           extraction requirement for metal small parts;
       o compositing is allowed when conducting the total digestion test only; and
       o alternative tests are allowed as long as specific conditions are met (i.e., XRF testing).

> A Guidance Annex for the design of bath toys to minimize potential projection hazards has been added.

> Changed “flux density” to “flux index” for toys with magnets and added a soaking test.

Additional Information
To view and purchase a copy of the ASTM F963-11: http://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm

How Can Bureau Veritas Help?
Bureau Veritas offers a full range of testing and quality solutions for toys and juvenile products.
If you have any questions about these proposed revisions, please contact your customer service representative or email: cps.info@bureauveritas.com

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