ASTM F963

1.1 This specification relates to possible hazards that may not be recognized readily by the public and that may be encountered in the normal use for which a toy is intended or after reasonably foreseeable abuse. It does not purport to cover every conceivable hazard of a particular toy. This specification does not cover product performance or quality, except as related to safety. Except for the labeling requirements pointing out the functional hazards and age range for which the toy is intended, this specification has no requirements for those aspects of a toy that present an inherent and recognized hazard as part of the function of the toy. Such an example is a sharp point necessary for the function of a needle. The needle is an inherent hazard that is well understood by the purchaser of a toy sewing kit, and this hazard is communicated to the user as part of the normal educational process.

1.2 On the other hand, while a riding toy has inherent hazards associated with its use (for example, falling off onto the sidewalk), the possible hazards associated with its construction (sharp edges, exposed mechanisms, etc.) will be minimized by the application of this specification.

1.3 This specification covers requirements and contains test methods for toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age. Different age limits for various requirements will be found in this specification. These limits reflect the nature of the hazards and expected mental or physical ability, or both, of a child to cope with the hazards.

1.4 Articles not covered by this specification are as follows:
Bicycles
Tricycles
Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
Playground equipment
Non-powder guns
Kites
Hobby and craft items in which the finished item is not
primarily of play value
Model kits in which the finished item is not primarily of
play value
Crayons, paints, chalks, and other similar art materials in
which the material itself or the finished item is not
primarily of play value, except that all art materials,
whether or not a component of a toy, must comply with
LHAMA, in accordance with 4.29.1-4.29.3.
Toy Chests
Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment, mu-
sical instruments, and furniture; however, toys that are
their counterparts are covered. (It is recognized that
there is often a fine line between, for example, a musical
instrument or a sporting item and its toy counterpart.
The intention of the producer or distributor, as well as
normal use and reasonably foreseeable abuse, deter-
mines whether the item is a toy counterpart.)
Powered models of aircraft, rockets, boats, and land
vehicles; however, toys that are their counterparts are
covered.

1.5 General guidelines for age labeling toys and toy packaging are contained in Annex A1.

1.6 Information regarding packaging and shipping is contained in Annex A2.

1.7 This consumer safety specification includes the following sections:

1.8 The values stated first are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.9 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 8, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness
D3421 Practice for Extraction and Determination of Plasticizer Mixtures from Vinyl Chloride Plastics
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D4236 Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
D999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
F1148 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground Equipment
F1313 Specification for Volatile -Nitrosamine Levels in Rubber Nipples on Pacifiers
15 CFR 1150 Marking of Toys, Look-Alike and Imitation Firearms
1500.14(b) (8) Labeling of hazardous art materials
1500.18 Banned toys and other banned articles intended for use by children
1500.19 Misbranded toys and other articles intended for use by children
1500.3 (c) (6) (vi) Definition of "flammable solid"
1500.44 Method for determining extremely flammable and flammable solids
1500.47 Method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps
1500.48 Technical requirements for determining a sharp point in toys and other articles intended for use by children under 8 years of age
1500.49 Technical requirements for determining a sharp metal or glass edge in toys and other articles intended for use by children under 8 years of age
1500.50-53 Test method for simulating use and abuse of toys and other articles intended for use by children
1500.83 Exemptions for small packages, minor hazards, and special circumstances
1500.85 Exemptions from classification as banned hazardous substances
1500.86 Exemptions from classification as a banned toy or other banned article for use by children
16 CFR 1505 Requirements for Electrically Operated Toys or Other Electrically Operated Articles Intended for Use by Children
16 CFR 1501 Method for Identifying Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under 3 Years of Age which Present Choking, Aspiration, or Ingestion Hazards Because of Small Parts
16 CFR 1510 Requirements for Rattles
16 CFR 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead Containing Paint
16 CFR 1511 Requirements for Pacifiers
16 CFR 1610 Standard for Flammability of Clothing Textiles
16 CFR 1500 Hazardous Substances Act Regulations, including the following sections:
21 CFR 110 Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Processing, Packaging, or Holding Human Food
21 CFR 170-189 Food for Human Consumption
21 CFR 73, 74, 81, 82 Color Additives
21 CFR 700-740 Requirements for Specific Cosmetic Products
49 CFR 173.100, 109 Definition of Class C Explosives
C18.1 American National Standard for Dry Cells and Batteries-Specifications
IEC60086-2 Primary Batteries: Physical and Electrical Specifications
IEC61672-1 Electroacoustics-Sound Level Meters-Part 1: Specifications
IEC61672-2 Electroacoustics-Sound Level Meters-Part 2: Pattern Evaluation Tests
ISO 7779 Acoustics-Measurement of Airborne Noise Emitted by Computer and Business Equipment
ISO 8124-1: 2000 Safety of Toys, Safety Aspects Related to Mechanical and Physical Properties
ISO11202 Acoustics-Noise Emitted by Machinery and Equipment-Measurement of Emission Sound Pressure Levels at a Work Station and at Other Specified Positions-Survey Method in situ
ISO11204 Acoustics-Noise Emitted by Machinery and Equipment-Measurement of Emission Sound Pressure Levels at a Work Station and at Other Specified Positions-Method Requiring Environmental Corrections
ISO3746:1995 Acoustics-Determination of Sound Power Levels of Noise Sources Using Sound Pressure-Survey Method Using an Enveloping Measurement Surface Over a Reflecting Plane
S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters
SS-T-312B Tile, Floor: Asphalt, Rubber, Vinyl, VinylAsbestos
Z315.1 Safety Requirements for Tricycles

Index Terms

Axles; Compression testing; Consumer safety specifications (infants/children); Drop tests; Edge profiling; Fore and aft stability; Health hazards; Helmets (toys); Impact testing--consumer safety; Labels/labeling; Lid support mechanisms; Mouth actuated toys; Paint surfaces; Projections; Puncture hazards; Safety precautions--consumer materials/applications; Stability; Teethers; Toys; Tumble tests; ICS Number Code 97.200.50 (Toys)

Citing ASTM Standards

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