Safety Innovations and Manufacturer Obligations Introduced by ASTM F963-23
The 2008 US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) made compliance with ASTM F963 a legally enforceable standard for the safety of toys. As part of this law, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees the implementation and enforcement of the standard.
The latest update, ASTM F963-23, came into force on April 20, 2024, replacing ASTM F963-17 and further tightening safety measures in the toy industry.
The new version, ASTM F963-23, includes extensive testing for physical hazards such as small parts and limitation of risky chemicals to ensure the safety of children. Like ASTM F963-17, this new version sets limits for the safe use of small parts, flammable compounds, heavy metals and phthalates in toys. However, ASTM F963-23 provides a more detailed review process than the previous version, adding additional regulations for the physical durability, age-appropriateness and chemical content safety of toys
Manufacturers are obliged to fulfill safety standards by subjecting their products to extensive testing to comply with ASTM F963-23. Compliance with the new regulations ensures the safe use of toys and helps manufacturers gain consumer confidence by complying with legal requirements. More details on this standard can be found on ASTM’s official website.
