The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to make the latest version of ASTM F963, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, mandatory under the Commission’s rules.
ASTM F963-16 includes a number of changes from prior versions of the standard, including updated terminology, updated labeling requirements for battery-operated devices, requirements for instructional literature and new testing requirements for batteries used in toys. Additional requirements applicable to projectile toys and ride-on toys, as well as toy cleanliness, are also included.
The CPSC says that the adoption of ASTM F963-16 will increase safety for consumers while also reducing some of the testing burden on toy manufacturers.
Under a Final Rule issued by the Commission in January 2017 and published in the Federal Register, the mandatory use of ASTM F963-16 takes effect as of April 30, 2017, barring any adverse comments received by the Commission during the interim.
