On October 13, 2023, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) released a new version of the toy safety standard ASTM F963-23.

Main updates：

Compared with ASTM F963-17, this update includes:

The exemption status of heavy metal elements in substrates is separately described, and the control requirements for phthalates are updated. The accessibility requirements for batteries have been increased, and sound toys, expanding materials, projectile toys, labels and instructions have been revised to varying degrees. This update has little impact on the chemical testing items of most existing toys. For individual types of toys, such as toys containing expanding materials, battery-operated toys, etc., the design may need to be modified to comply with the requirements of the new standard.

According to the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, after ASTM publishes a new standard and notifies the Consumer Safety Committee (CPSC), if the CPSC has no objection within 90 days, the new standard will be released 180 days after the notification (i.e. April 16, 2024) will replace ASTM F963-17 and become the new mandatory toy safety standard.

HUAK Testing reminder:

Relevant toy companies or platform merchants exporting to the United States should pay attention to this update of toy standards and take corresponding measures in a timely manner.