Toy Safety Testing

Applied Technical Services, Inc. recently attended Toy Fair 2010 in NYC. We were among the 1,100 exhibitors and over 25,000 attendees. We were present as an exhibitor, addressing concerns and detailing reasonable testing strategies with regards to Toy Safety Testing and CPSIA regulations for Children’s Toys & Childcare Articles. While attending Toy Fair, we also attended the Safety – TSCP Legislative Update. The informative session addressed the primary concerns in Children’s Toys & Childcare Articles, with the key focus for 2010 being on the following areas:

  • Choking Hazards
  • Magnets
  • Sharp Points
  • Strangulation Hazards
  • Toxic Chemicals (i.e. lead, cadmium, antimony, etc.)

In our prior newsletter, we touched upon toxic chemicals, highlighting the risks of cadmium. We would like to dedicate this newsletter to the other four items of primary concern as stated in the Legislative Update: Choking Hazards, Magnets, Sharp Points, and Strangulation Hazards.

As a CPSC accredited full service testing lab, we provide our clients with certified compliance in accordance with ASTM and CPSC regulations. We have the capability to assist our customers with testing their items to the applicable toy safety

standards. In speaking with our customers, we find that additional assistance with regards to physical and mechanical hazards is needed, and we can provide the necessary guidance to ensure that your products are safe for your customers. The current details and requirements for the CPSC focus area are as follows:

1. Choking Hazards:

• What is involved? This is also referred to as “small part testing”. Testing is conducted on the item to see if the item is considered a small part, or if during normal play, small parts may be created or developed.

• Who is required to test? Your item shall be tested for small parts if it is age-graded for 3 years & under or if the toy is attractive to younger children. It is not sufficient enough to simply label your item to circumvent this testing requirement. If the toy has “play value” for children younger than 3 years of age, then it needs to be tested for small parts. The CPSC sets forth guidelines for proper age grading of toys.

• Label Requirements: If the item contains small parts, then it shall be labeled with the appropriate warning labels.

2. Strangulation Hazards:

• What is involved? We test the cords, strings, and elastic bands attached to toys and children’s consumer goods to determine if they present themselves as potential strangulation hazard.

• Who is required to test? If a loop of sufficient size can be made out of the cords, strings, and elastic bands attached to toys, then it must be checked to qualify it as a strangulation hazard. Some examples are: self retracting pull cords, strings on pull toys, strings and lines for flying devices, strings on hooded sweatshirts, and cords on storage bags.

• Design change is required for those items that show to be a potential strangulation hazard (if marketed for children under 18 months or 36 months – depending on the toy type).



Next

ATS Updates

  • Authorized by Toy Industry Association to serve as an approved and accredited testing lab for the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP).
  • Membership acceptance to American Home Furnishings Alliance. We are a listed lab with AHFA to assist those with testing in the furniture industry. A special thanks to our customers that referred us.
  • Recent A2LA Audit - Scope Expansion to include relevant items in ASTM F963.