ASTM F963-17

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety

SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 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
Non-Powered Scooters
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2264)
Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2641)
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, shall comply with
LHAMA, in accordance with 4.29.1 – 4.29.3.
Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment,
musical instruments, juvenile products, 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, determines whether the item is a
toy counterpart.)
Powered models of aircraft, rockets, boats, and land
vehicles; however, toys that are their counterparts are
covered.
Constant air inflatables  
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  
Plastic Film  
4.12  
Folding Mechanisms and Hinges  
4.13  
Cords, Straps, and Elastics  
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 ...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2017
• ICS: 97.200.50 - Toys
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.22 - Toy Safety

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F834-84(2008) - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Chests (Withdrawn 2016)
• Effective Date: 17-Aug-2016
• Replaced By: ASTM F963-23 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2023
• Refers: ASTM F2923-20 - Standard Specification for Consumer Product Safety for Children’s Jewelry
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM F2264-14(2019) - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Powered Scooters
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM F1148-18 - Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2018
• Refers: ASTM F404-18 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM F406-17 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM F404-17a - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5276-98(2017) - Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM F1148-17 - Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM F404-17 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Refers: ASTM D4236-94(2016) - Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016
• Refers: ASTM F404-16a - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM F404-16 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM F406-15 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F963 −17 An American National Standard
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
1
Toy Safety
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF963;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this consumer safety specification is to establish nationally recognized safety
requirements for toys. Although this specification will not eliminate the need for the exercise of
parental responsibility in selecting toys appropriate to the age of a child, or parental supervision in
situations in which children of various ages may have access to the same toys, its application will
minimize accidents in the normal, intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse of the toys covered
by this specification. This specification was developed originally as a Voluntary Product Standard
under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, and published in
1976 (PS 72–76). The present revision is intended to update the safety requirements to include the
following by reference: published federal mandatory requirements, relevant voluntary standards,
certain new requirements for addressing potential hazards, and several technical revisions based on
producer experience with the original standard.
1. Scope struction (sharp edges, exposed mechanisms, etc.) will be
minimized by the application of this specification.
2
1.1 This specification relates to possible hazards that may
not be recognized readily by the public and that may be 1.3 This specification covers requirements and contains test
encountered in the normal use for which a toy is intended or
methodsfortoysintendedforusebychildrenunder14yearsof
afterreasonablyforeseeableabuse.Itdoesnotpurporttocover
age.Differentagelimitsforvariousrequirementswillbefound
every conceivable hazard of a particular toy.This specification
in this specification. These limits reflect the nature of the
does not cover product performance or quality, except as
hazards and expected mental or physical ability, or both, of a
related to safety. Except for the labeling requirements pointing
child to cope with the hazards.
out the functional hazards and age range for which the toy is
1.4 Articlesnotcoveredbythisspecificationareasfollows:
intended, this specification has no requirements for those
Bicycles
aspects of a toy that present an inherent and recognized hazard
Tricycles
as part of the function of the toy. Such an example is a sharp
Non-Powered Scooters
point necessary for the function of a needle. The needle is an
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2264)
inherent hazard that is well understood by the purchaser of a
Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes
toy sewing kit, and this hazard is communicated to the user as
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2641)
part of the normal educational process.
Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
1.2 On the other hand, while a riding toy has inherent
Playground equipment
hazards associated with its use (for example, falling off onto
Non-powder guns
the sidewalk), the possible hazards associated with its con-
Kites
Hobby and craft items in which the finished item is not
primarily of play value
1
This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Commit- Model kits in which the finished item is not primarily of
tee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
play value
F15.22 on Toy Safety.
Crayons, paints, chalks, and other similar art materials in
Current edition approved May 1, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally
which the material itself or the finished item is not
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F963–16. DOI:
10.1520/F0963-17.
primarily of play value, except that all art materials,
2
TheToyAssociationsometimesprovidesitsinterpretationsofthisspecification
whether or not a component of a toy, shall comply with
through its counsel as a service to its members and others. The Toy Association’s
LHAMA, in accordance with 4.29.1 – 4.29.3.
interpretationsarenotreviewedorapprovedbyASTMandshouldbeviewedasThe
Toy Association’s alone. Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F963−17
musical instruments, juvenile products, and furniture;
Testing for Hazardous Substance Content 8.2
Test Methods for Determination of Heavy Element 8.3
howe
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F963 − 16 F963 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
1
Toy Safety
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F963; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this consumer safety specification is to establish nationally recognized safety
requirements for toys. Although this specification will not eliminate the need for the exercise of
parental responsibility in selecting toys appropriate to the age of a child, or parental supervision in
situations in which children of various ages may have access to the same toys, its application will
minimize accidents in the normal, intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse of the toys covered
by this specification. This specification was developed originally as a Voluntary Product Standard
under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, and published in
1976 (PS 72–76). The present revision is intended to update the safety requirements to include the
following by reference: published federal mandatory requirements, relevant voluntary standards,
certain new requirements for addressing potential hazards, and several technical revisions based on
producer experience with the original standard.
1. Scope
2
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
Non-Powered Scooters
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2264)
Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2641)
Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
Playground equipment
1
This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.22
on Toy Safety.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016May 1, 2017. Published October 2016August 2017. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
F963 – 11.F963 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/F0963-16.10.1520/F0963-17.
2
Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA) The Toy Association sometimes provides its interpretations of this specification through its counsel as a service to its members and
others. The TIA’s Toy Association’s interpretations are not reviewed or approved by ASTM and should be viewed as TIA’s The Toy Association’s alone.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F963 − 17
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 v
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F963 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
1
Toy Safety
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F963; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this consumer safety specification is to establish nationally recognized safety
requirements for toys. Although this specification will not eliminate the need for the exercise of
parental responsibility in selecting toys appropriate to the age of a child, or parental supervision in
situations in which children of various ages may have access to the same toys, its application will
minimize accidents in the normal, intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse of the toys covered
by this specification. This specification was developed originally as a Voluntary Product Standard
under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, and published in
1976 (PS 72–76). The present revision is intended to update the safety requirements to include the
following by reference: published federal mandatory requirements, relevant voluntary standards,
certain new requirements for addressing potential hazards, and several technical revisions based on
producer experience with the original standard.
1. Scope struction (sharp edges, exposed mechanisms, etc.) will be
minimized by the application of this specification.
2
1.1 This specification relates to possible hazards that may
not be recognized readily by the public and that may be
1.3 This specification covers requirements and contains test
encountered in the normal use for which a toy is intended or methods for toys intended for use by children under 14 years of
after reasonably foreseeable abuse. It does not purport to cover
age. Different age limits for various requirements will be found
every conceivable hazard of a particular toy. This specification
in this specification. These limits reflect the nature of the
does not cover product performance or quality, except as
hazards and expected mental or physical ability, or both, of a
related to safety. Except for the labeling requirements pointing
child to cope with the hazards.
out the functional hazards and age range for which the toy is
1.4 Articles not covered by this specification are as follows:
intended, this specification has no requirements for those
Bicycles
aspects of a toy that present an inherent and recognized hazard
Tricycles
as part of the function of the toy. Such an example is a sharp
Non-Powered Scooters
point necessary for the function of a needle. The needle is an
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2264)
inherent hazard that is well understood by the purchaser of a
Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes
toy sewing kit, and this hazard is communicated to the user as
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2641)
part of the normal educational process.
Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
1.2 On the other hand, while a riding toy has inherent
Playground equipment
hazards associated with its use (for example, falling off onto
Non-powder guns
the sidewalk), the possible hazards associated with its con-
Kites
Hobby and craft items in which the finished item is not
primarily of play value
1
This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Commit- Model kits in which the finished item is not primarily of
tee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
play value
F15.22 on Toy Safety.
Crayons, paints, chalks, and other similar art materials in
Current edition approved May 1, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally
which the material itself or the finished item is not
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F963 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/F0963-17.
primarily of play value, except that all art materials,
2
The Toy Association sometimes provides its interpretations of this specification
whether or not a component of a toy, shall comply with
through its counsel as a service to its members and others. The Toy Association’s
LHAMA, in accordance with 4.29.1 – 4.29.3.
interpretations are not reviewed or approved by ASTM and should be viewed as The
Toy Association’s alone. Sporting goods, camping goods, athletic equipment,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F963 − 17
musical instruments, juvenile products, and furniture;
Testing for Hazardous Substance Content 8.2
Test Methods for Determination of Heavy Element 8.3
however, toys that are their co
...