Toys are essential companions in a child's growth process. As products that come into close contact with children, issues such as the quality and environmental protection of children's toys are also of great concern to parents and society. Many countries have strict safety regulations for children's toys. Whether in the manufacturing or sales process, it is crucial to understand the regulatory requirements for toys. This not only ensures the quality of toys but also guarantees the smooth circulation of products.
What are Toys?
Toys generally refer to items that can be used for play. Playing with toys is often regarded as a way of combining education with entertainment in human society. Toys have three basic characteristics: entertainment, education, and safety.
Main Toy Products
Plush toys, baby toys such as rattles, toy cars, ride-on vehicles, toy airplanes, toy trains, animation models, festive party toys, Barbie dolls, scientific experiment toys, building toys, indoor and outdoor activity toys, painting supplies, cosmetic toys, other toys, toy raw materials, etc.
International Standards for Toys
Main Categories of Testing Items
◆ Physical and Mechanical Performance Testing ◆ Flammability Performance Testing
◆ Chemical Testing ◆ Electrical Testing
Typical Testing Examples
1. Mechanical and Physical Performance
1-1. Normal Use
1-2. Foreseeable Reasonable Abuse
2. Flammability Performance Testing
Flame retardancy performance. This part specifies the types of flammable materials prohibited for all toys and the flammability performance requirements for toys exposed to certain small ignition sources. The burning rate of the tested materials is required not to exceed the limits specified in the standard. It involves toys worn on the head, toy cosplay costumes, toys worn by children during play, toys that children can enter, and soft stuffed toys containing plush or textile fabrics.
3. Chemical Testing
GB 6675.4-2014 specifies the maximum limit requirements for migratable elements such as antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium in toy materials and toy components, as well as the sampling methods, and the preparation and extraction procedures of test specimens.
ASTM F963-17 covers the content of eight heavy metals, total lead content, lead content in coatings, phthalates, cadmium, etc.
EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 specifies the requirements and test methods for migratable aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, trivalent chromium, hexavalent chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin, organotin, and zinc in toy materials and toy components.
4. Electrical Testing
Input power testing, heating and abnormal operation testing, electrical strength testing at operating temperature, moisture resistance testing, electrical strength testing at room temperature, mechanical strength testing, structural testing, protection testing of flexible cords and wires, component testing, screw and connection testing, electrical clearance and creepage distance testing, heat resistance and flammability testing, radiation testing, toxicity testing, electromagnetic compatibility testing, etc.
Overview of STU Hengchuang Toy Testing
The STU Hengchuang Toy Laboratory has obtained CNAS and CMA accreditations and has also been recognized by the U.S. CPSC as a qualified laboratory recommended for toy manufacturers. The laboratory uses efficient optimized process management to effectively improve work efficiency and ensure real-time tracking of the testing progress. The laboratory has professional technical engineers who conduct comprehensive evaluations and tests on the safety performance of toys, helping enterprises improve product quality, ensure product safety, and reduce export risks.
