CPSC Approves Federal Toy Safety Standard Update, Effective Date is April 20, 2024

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously voted to approve the revised version of ASTM F963 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (ASTM F963-23). Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), toys to be sold in the U.S. that are manufactured on or after April 20, 2024 will need to comply with ASTM F963-23 as the mandatory consumer product safety standard for toys. If the CPSC receives no significant adverse comment by February 20, the standard will be incorporated under 16 CFR 1250, thus replacing the reference to earlier versions of the standard.

Highlights of the revision include a focus on physical and technical changes for Acoustics, Expanding Materials with Outer Coverings, Environmental Conditions for Projectiles Toys and Testing Sequence for Bow and Arrow Toys and Battery Accessibility and Battery Compartment Attachment.

Additional changes were made to align the ASTM requirements to existing Federal and CPSC requirements relating to Phthalates, Exemptions for Toy Substrate Materials, and the labeling requirements for Tracking Labels on Toys.

Safety Standard Mandating ASTM F963 for Toys:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/18/2024-00741/safety-standard-mandating-astm-f963-for-toys

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BV Bulletin : ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard Revised (Published October 2023)

ASTM F963-23 Revision Review of Physical/Mechanical Requirements:

Overview
Restructure Section 4.5 Sound-producing toy with newly defined categories. Introduce a new sound level limit for push/ pull toy where the sound is the translation motion imparted on the toy by the user. Introduce the Battery accessibility requirements under Section 4.25. Clarify the scope of Expanding materials toy. Re-sequence the projectile test method of the bow and arrow. Add the tracking label requirement in Section 5.1.2.

Equipment: The drop floor reference standard changed from SS-T-312B to ASTM F1066-04. The tolerance of Expanding materials gauge is corrected.

Change highlight:

Section 4.5 Sound-producing toy:

Re-structure the whole section with defined categories.
1. Close-to-the-ear Toys (LAeq: 65dB, LCpeak: 110dB)
2. Hand-held Toys (LAeq: 85dB, LCpeak: 115dB)
3. Rattles (LCpeak: 115dB)
4. Stationary or Self-propelled Tabletop, Floor, or Crib Toys (LAeq: 85dB, LCpeak:115dB)
5. User-propelled Tabletop, Floor, or Crib Toys (LAFmax: 85dB, LCpeak: 115dB)
6. Push or Pull Toys (LAeq: 85dB, LAFmax: 94dB, LCpeak: 115dB)
7. Toys Using Explosive Action (LCpeak: 125dB)
Use and abuse tests: Extend to up to 14 years (original up to 8 years). For 8-14 years, use 36 months to 96 months parameters.
Delete the exemption of “push and pull toy.”

Sound Level Limit comparison:

Category	2023		2017
Category	A- Weight	C- Weight	A-Weight	C-Weight
Close-to-the-ear Toys	65	110	65	110
Hand-held Toys	85	115	85	115
Rattles	Nil	115	Nil	115
Stationary or Self-propelled Tabletop, Floor, or Crib Toys	85	115	85	115
User-propelled Tabletop, Floor, or Crib Toys	85 LAFmax	115	85	115
Push or Pull Toys	85 (stationary / self- propelled mode) 94 LAFmax (translations motion imparted on the toy by the user)	115 (stationary / self- propelled mode) 115 (translations motion imparted on the toy by the user)	85	115
Toys Using Explosive Action	Nil	125	Nil	125

Section 4.25 Battery accessibility requirements:
1. definition of “common household tool” - common household tool—screwdriver (straight-blade or Phillips-type), pliers, coin, or other object commonly found in most households, and which may be used to operate a screw, clip, or similar fixing device.
2. Use and abuse test extended - apply to toy for over 8 years of age (use 36 months to 96 months parameters).
3. Add requirement that a fastener on a battery compartment door must remain attached to the toy or battery compartment (4.25.4.3), to avoid loss of the fastener.
4. Manufacturer permitted to use specialty fastener, providing that appropriate tool is provided with the toy, and instructions meet Section 6.9.
Section 4.40 Expanding materials:
1. Scope: Cover small part encased in an outer covering that is not a small part, and the outer covering is intended to be dissolved in liquid, opened, or broken by the child to reveal the inner expanding component.
2. Scope: Cover components received by the consumer in an expanded state which are not small parts, but which have the potential to contract in size (such as during storage) to yield a re-expandable small part.
3. Correct the Gauge tolerance.
Section 4.21 Projectile:
1. Revised test method of Bow and Arrow Testing
2. Sections 8.14.3, 8.14.5.4, and 8.14.6.2—The conditions have been changed to a sequence that is more logical in terms of occurrence.
Section 5.1.2 Tracking label:
1. Add Tracking label requirement.
Drop floor:
1. 2023 - The impact medium shall consist of a 1⁄8-in. (3-mm) nominal thickness of vinyl composition tile conforming to the requirements of Specification F1066, Types 1, 2, or 3, over at least a 2.5-in. (64-mm) thickness of concrete. The impact area shall be at least 3 ft2 (0.3 m2).
2. 2017 - The impact medium shall consist of a 1⁄8-in. (3-mm) nominal thickness of Type IV vinyl composition tile, composition 1-asbestos free, as specified in Federal Specification SS-T-312B over at least a 2.5-in. (64-mm) thickness of concrete. The impact area shall be at least 3 ft2 (0.3 m2).
  24B-015

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