Which Safety Standards Apply to Toys?
If you manufacture or import toys for children 12 and under, your CPC must list every applicable safety standard. The specific standards depend on the type of toy, the materials used, and the intended age range. Here is a complete breakdown.
Standards That Apply to Nearly All Toys
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
This is the primary toy safety standard in the United States. It covers mechanical and physical requirements (sharp edges, small parts, stability), flammability, chemical limits (heavy metals in surface coatings), electrical safety for battery-operated toys, and labeling requirements. ASTM F963 applies to virtually every toy sold in the U.S.
The current version is ASTM F963-23. Your test reports should reference the most recent version effective at the time of testing.
Lead Content Limits (100 ppm)
Total lead content in accessible substrate materials must not exceed 100 parts per million (ppm). This applies to all children's products, not just toys. It is tested separately from lead in surface coatings (which falls under 16 CFR 1303).
Certain materials are exempt from lead content testing under the CPSC's Determinations of Inaccessible Component Parts — for example, unfinished wood (not painted or coated) is generally recognized as having lead content well below 100 ppm and may not require testing.
Phthalate Content Limits
Limits on specific phthalates in children's toys and child care articles. The following phthalates are restricted to no more than 0.1% (1,000 ppm) individually:
- DEHP, DBP, BBP — permanently banned
- DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP, DCHP — banned under the 2017 final rule
This standard applies to toys and child care articles that can be placed in a child's mouth. Products that cannot reasonably be mouthed may still require testing to demonstrate compliance.
Ban on Lead-Containing Paint (90 ppm)
Lead in paint and surface coatings must not exceed 90 ppm. This is separate from the substrate lead limit under CPSIA Section 101. Any toy with paint, lacquer, varnish, or any surface coating must be tested.
Age-Specific Standards
Small Parts Ban — Toys for Children Under 3
Toys intended for children under 3 years old must not contain small parts (as defined by the small parts cylinder test). This also applies to parts that can break off during normal use or reasonably foreseeable abuse. If your toy is for ages 3+, this regulation does not apply, but you must clearly label the intended age range.
Standards for Specific Toy Types
Sharp Edges and Sharp Points
Applies to toys intended for children under 8. Accessible edges and points must not be sharp enough to cause injury. Testing uses the sharp edge tester (16 CFR 1500.48) and sharp point tester (16 CFR 1500.49).
Tracking Labels
All children's products must bear permanent tracking information — manufacturer name, production date, location, and a way to identify the specific batch. This is not a testing standard per se, but it is a requirement that must be met and can be listed on your CPC.
Creating a Toy CPC
When you create a CPC for a toy, make sure:
- The product description includes the toy name, model number, and intended age range
- All applicable standards are listed — at minimum ASTM F963, CPSIA 101 (lead), CPSIA 108 (phthalates), and 16 CFR 1303 (lead paint) for painted toys
- Add 16 CFR 1501 if the toy is for children under 3
- The testing lab is CPSC-accepted specifically for toy testing (not all labs are)
- Test reports cover every standard listed on the CPC
Generate a toy CPC with ASTM F963 and all applicable standards pre-loaded
Open the Free CPC Generator