On October 13, 2023, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) released a new version of the toy safety standard ASTM F963-23.It is expected that the mandatory adoption time will be April 2024 (CPSC still uses ASTM F963-17 at present).

The new version of the standard mainly revised the technical requirements for sound, battery accessibility, inflatable materials and projectile toys. In addition, it clarified and adjusted the exemptions for phthalates, heavy metals in toy base materials and the requirements for traceability labels to keep them consistent with Federal regulations are consistent with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) policy.

01 Base material heavy metal
Provide a separate description of the circumstances of exemption to make it clearer.

02 Phthalates
Revise phthalate requirements to align with 16 CFR 1307.

03 Sound toys
Revised definitions of certain sound toys to make them easier to distinguish:
1) Revised the definitions of push-pull toys (formerly known as push/pull toys) and tabletop, floor or crib toys to make them easier to distinguish;
2) Toys clearly intended for children under 14 years old must meet sound requirements before and after use and abuse testing. For toys used by children between 8 and 14 years old, use and abuse testing for children between 36 months and 96 months is applicable. Require.

04 battery
Higher requirements are placed on battery accessibility:
1) Toys over 8 years old also need to undergo abuse testing;
2) The screws on the battery cover must not fall off after the abuse test;
3) The accompanying special tool for opening the battery compartment should be described accordingly in the instructions: remind consumers to keep this tool for future use, point out that this tool should be stored out of the reach of children, point out that this tool Not a toy.

05 Expansive materials
1) The scope of application has been revised, and expanded materials with a receiving status of non-small parts have been added;
2) Fixed the error in the dimensional tolerance of the test gauge.

06 projectile toys
Adjusted the order of clauses to make them more logical.

07 Logo
Added requirement for tracking labels.

08 Instructions
For the special tool included to open the battery compartment:
1) Consumers should be reminded to keep this tool for future use;
2) It should be noted that this tool should be stored out of the reach of children;
3) It should be noted that this tool is not a toy.
Currently, the federal regulations 16 CFR 1250 still adopt ASTM F963-17, that is, the mandatory version is still version 17.
Under the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), once a revised standard is published and ASTM formally notifies CPSC of the revision, the CPSC has 90 days to object to any changes that are not deemed to improve toy safety.
Without any amendments, this version of the standard will become a mandatory requirement under 16 CFR 1250 180 days after notification.
Relevant toy companies or platform merchants exporting to the United States should pay attention to this update of toy standards and take corresponding measures in a timely manner.

来源：中外玩具网（ctoy-gdta）综合