ASTM F963-08 - 1.12.2008
 
1. Scope

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:

Title

Section

Scope

1

Referenced Documents

2

Terminology

3

Safety Requirements

4

Material Quality

4.1

Flammability

4.2

Toxicology

4.3

Electrical/Thermal Energy

4.4

Sound Producing Toys

4.5

Small Objects

4.6

Accessible Edges

4.7

Projections

4.8

Accessible Points

4.9

Wires or Rods

4.10

Nails and Fasteners

4.11

Packaging Film

4.12

Folding Mechanisms and Hinges

4.13

Cords and Elastics in Toys

4.14

Stability and Over-Load Requirements

4.15

Confined Spaces

4.16

Wheels, Tires, and Axles

4.17

Holes, Clearance, and Accessibility of Mechanisms

4.18

Simulated Protective Devices

4.19

Pacifiers

4.20

Projectile Toys

4.21

Teethers and Teething Toys

4.22

Rattles

4.23

Squeeze Toys

4.24

Battery-Operated Toys

4.25

Toys Intended to be Attached to a Crib

or Playpen

4.26

Stuffed and Beanbag-Type Toys

4.27

Stroller and Carriage Toys

4.28

Art Materials

4.29

Toy Gun Marking

4.30

Balloons

4.31

Certain Toys with Spherical Ends

4.32

Marbles

4.33

Balls

4.34

Pompoms

4.35

Hemispheric-Shaped Objects

4.36

Yo Yo Elastic Tether Toys

4.37

Magnets

4.38

Jaw Entrapment in Handles and Steering Wheels

4.39

Safety Labeling Requirements

5

Instructional Literature

6

Producer's Markings

7

Test Methods

8

General

8.1

Testing for Hazardous Substance Content

8.2

Method to Dissolve Soluble Matter

8.3

Tests for Cleanliness and Preservative Effectiveness

8.4

Normal Use Testing

8.5

Abuse Testing

8.6

Impact Tests

8.7

Torque Tests for Removal of Components

8.8

Tension Test for Removal of Components

8.9

Compression Test

8.10

Tests for Tire Removal and Snap-in Wheel and

Axle Assembly Removal

8.11

Flexure Test

8.12

Test for Mouth-Actuated Toys

8.13

Projectiles

8.14

Test for Stability of Ride-On Toys

8.15

Stalled Motor Test for Battery-Operated Toys

8.17

Tests for Battery-Powered Ride-On Toys

8.18

Tests for Toys which Produce Noise

8.19

Dynamic Strength Test for Wheeled Ride-On Toys

8.20

Packaging Film Thickness

8.21

Test for Loops and Cords

8.22

Yo Yo Elastic Tether Toy Test Methods

8.23

Magnet Test Methods

8.24

Test Methods for Locking Mechanisms or

Other Means

8.25

Identification

9

Age Grading Guidelines

Annex A1

Packaging and Shipping

Annex A2

Design Guidelines for Toys Attached to Cribs

or Playpens

Annex A3

Flammability Testing Procedure for Solids and Soft Toys

Annex A4

Flammability Testing Procedure for Fabrics

Annex A5

Rationale for 2007 Revisions

Annex A6

Rationale for 2008 Revisions

Annex A7

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

F2641-23

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes

D1193-06(2018)

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

F2923-20

Standard Specification for Consumer Product Safety for Children´s Jewelry

F2264-14(2019)

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Powered Scooters

D3421-75

Recommended Practice for Extraction and Determination of Plasticizer Mixtures from Vinyl Chloride Plastics (Withdrawn 1987)

D4236-94(2021)

Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards

D5276-19(2023)

Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall

F404-21

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs

F406-22

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards

F1313-90(1999)

Standard Specification for Volatile N-Nitrosamine Levels in Rubber Nipples on Pacifiers

F1148-22

Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground Equipment

D2240-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness

D374/D374M-23

Standard Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation

D642-20

Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads

D880-92(2021)

Standard Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems

D999-08(2023)

Standard Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers

F2853-10(2023)

Standard Test Method for Determination of Lead in Paint Layers and Similar Coatings or in Substrates and Homogenous Materials by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Using Multiple Monochromatic Excitation Beams