ISO 8124-1:2022

Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties

The requirements in this document apply to all toys, i.e. any product designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age. They are applicable to a toy as it is initially received by the consumer and, in addition, they apply after a toy is subjected to reasonably foreseeable conditions of normal use and abuse unless specifically noted otherwise. The requirements of this document specify acceptable criteria for structural characteristics of toys, such as shape, size, contour, spacing (e.g. rattles, small parts, sharp points and edges, and hinge-line clearances) as well as acceptable criteria for properties peculiar to certain categories of toy (e.g. maximum kinetic energy values for non-resilient-tipped projectiles and minimum tip angles for certain ride-on toys). This document specifies requirements and test methods for toys intended for use by children in various age groups from birth to 14 years. The requirements vary according to the age group for which a particular toy is intended. The requirements for a particular age group reflect the nature of the hazards and the expected mental and/or physical abilities of a child to cope with them. This document also requires that appropriate warnings and/or instructions for use be given on certain toys or their packaging. Due to linguistic problems which may occur in different countries, the wording of these warnings and instructions is not specified but given as general information in Annex B. It should be noted that different legal requirements exist in many countries with regard to such marking. This document does not purport to cover or include every conceivable potential hazard of a particular toy or toy category. Except for labelling requirements indicating the functional hazards and the age range for which the toy is intended, this document has no requirements for those characteristics of toys which represent an inherent and recognized hazard which is integral to the function of the toy. EXAMPLE 1 An example of such a hazard is the sharp point necessary for the proper function of a needle. The needle is a hazard which is well understood by the purchaser of a toy sewing kit, and the functional sharp-point hazard is communicated to the user as part of the normal educational process of learning to sew as well as at the point of purchase by means of cautionary labelling on the product's packaging. EXAMPLE 2 As a further example, a two-wheeled toy scooter has inherent and recognized hazards associated with its use (e.g. instability during use, especially while learning). The potential hazards associated with its structural characteristics (e.g. sharp edges, pinch hazards) will be minimized by conformity to the requirements of this document. Products not included within the scope of this document are: a) bicycles, except for those considered to be toys, i.e. those having a maximum saddle height of 435 mm (see 1); b) slingshots; NOTE 1 “Slingshots” are also known as “catapults” and are usually held in the hand; examples are given in Figure 1. Toy versions of medieval catapults and trebuchets are not exempt from this document; an example is given in Figure 2. c) darts with metal points; d) public playground equipment; e) compressed air- and gas-operated guns and pistols (see 1); f) kites (except for the electric resistance of their strings, which is included); g) model kits, hobby and craft items, in which the finished item is not primarily of play value; h) sporting goods and equipment, camping goods, athletic equipment, musical instruments and furniture; however, toys which are their counterparts are included; NOTE 2 It is recognized that there is often a fine distinction between, for example, a musical instrument or a sporting item and its toy counterpart. The intention of the manufacturer or distributor, as well as normal use and reasonably foreseeable abuse, determines whether the item is a toy counterpart or not. i) models of aircraft

Sécurité des jouets — Partie 1: Aspects de sécurité relatifs aux propriétés mécaniques et physiques

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-2022
• ICS: 97.200.50 - Toys
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 181 - Safety of toys
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 181/WG 1 - Mechanical and physical properties
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 15-Sep-2022
• Due Date: 19-Feb-2023
• Completion Date: 15-Sep-2022

Relations

• Amended By: ISO 8124-1:2022/Amd 1:2025 - Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 12-Nov-2022
• Revises: ISO 8124-1:2018/Amd 1:2020 - Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties - Amendment 1: Flying toys
• Effective Date: 18-Apr-2021
• Revises: ISO 8124-1:2018/Amd 2:2020 - Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties - Amendment 2: Various
• Effective Date: 18-Apr-2021
• Revises: ISO 8124-1:2018 - Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
• Effective Date: 23-Apr-2020

Overview

ISO 8124-1:2022 - "Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties" is the international toy‑safety standard that defines mechanical and physical safety requirements and associated test methods for toys intended for children up to 14 years. It applies to a toy as received by the consumer and after reasonably foreseeable use and abuse. The standard sets acceptable criteria for structural characteristics (shape, size, contour, spacing) and properties specific to toy categories (e.g., kinetic energy limits for projectiles, tip angles for ride‑on toys). Some product categories (certain bicycles, slingshots, metal‑point darts, playground equipment, etc.) are expressly excluded.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard covers a comprehensive range of mechanical and physical hazards, including:

• Age‑group criteria - requirements vary according to the intended age range, reflecting the child’s abilities and likely exposure to hazards.
• Small parts and choking hazards - size, shape and retention tests for toys for infants and young children.
• Sharp edges and points - accessible sharp edges, functional points, and material‑specific edge requirements.
• Projections and entrapment - safe limits for projections, hinge‑line clearances, holes and accessible clearances.
• Cords, strings and loops - length, diameter and fixed‑loop requirements to reduce strangulation risk.
• Folding mechanisms and stability - requirements for pushchairs, foldable toys, ride‑on toys and seats including overload and stability tests.
• Projectiles and flying toys - maximum kinetic energy, construction and safety of launch mechanisms and rotor blades.
• Materials and construction - material quality, expanding materials, metal wires/rods and plastic film hazards.
• Special categories - toy scooters, aquatic toys, mouth‑actuated toys, toy skateboards, magnets, liquid‑filled toys, percussion caps.
• Warnings and instructions - requirement to provide appropriate warnings and user instructions (wording is given as guidance in the Annex).

The standard includes normative references and specified test methods to evaluate conformity under normal and reasonably foreseeable abusive conditions.

Practical applications - who uses it

ISO 8124-1:2022 is essential for:

• Toy manufacturers and product designers - to design out mechanical/physical hazards and prepare compliant products.
• Product safety engineers and test laboratories - to perform required mechanical tests and assess conformity.
• Regulatory authorities, importers and retailers - to verify safety before market placement and inform compliance reviews.
• Quality and compliance teams - to incorporate age‑appropriate labelling, warnings and instructions and to manage supplier audits.

Using ISO 8124-1 supports safer toy design, reduces recall risk, and facilitates market access by demonstrating adherence to internationally recognized mechanical and physical toy‑safety criteria.

Related standards

ISO 8124‑1 is part of the broader ISO 8124 toy‑safety series; manufacturers typically consult the other parts of the series (covering additional hazards and test methods) to ensure comprehensive compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 8124-1
Sixth edition
2022-09
Safety of toys —
Part 1:
Safety aspects related to mechanical
and physical properties
Sécurité des jouets —
Partie 1: Aspects de sécurité relatifs aux propriétés mécaniques et
physiques
Reference number
© ISO 2022
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .viii
Introduction .ix
1 S c op e . 1
2 Nor m at i ve r ef er enc e s . 3
3 Terms and definitions . 3
4 R e qu i r ement s .16
4.1 General . 16
4.1.1 Normal use (see E.2) . 16
4.1.2 Location of warnings . 16
4.2 R easonably foreseeable abuse (see E.3). 16
4 . 3 M at er i a l . 16
4.3.1 Material quality (see E.4) . 16
4.3.2 Expanding materials (see E.5) . 16
4 .4 Sm a l l p a r t s . 17
4.4.1 For children under 36 months (see E.6) . 17
4.4.2 For children 36 months and over but under 72 months . 17
4.5 S hape, size and strength of certain toys (see E.7) . 18
4.5.1 Squeeze toys, rattles, fasteners and certain other toys and components of
toys . 18
4 . 5 .2 Sm al l b a l l s .20
4 . 5 . 3 Pomp om s (s e e E.8) .20
4.5.4 Pre-school play figures (see E.9) . 20
4.5.5 Toy pacifiers . 21
4 . 5 . 6 B a l lo on s . 21
4. 5 .7 Ma r ble s . . 21
4.5.8 Hemispheric-shaped toys (see E.41) . 21
4 . 6 E d g e s (s e e E.11) . 24
4.6.1 Accessible sharp edges of glass or metal . 24
4.6.2 Functional sharp edges . 24
4.6.3 Edges on metal toys .25
4.6.4 Edges on moulded toys .25
4.6.5 Edges on exposed bolts or threaded rods . 25
4 .7 Poi nt s (s e e E.12) . 25
4.7.1 A ccessible sharp points . 25
4.7.2 Functional sharp points .25
4.7.3 Wooden toys .26
4 . 8 P r oje c t ion s . 26
4.8.1 General requirements (see E.13) . 26
4.8.2 Special considerations for bath toy projections . 26
4.9 M etal wires and rods (see E.14) . 26
4.10 P lastic film or plastic bags in packaging and in toys (see E.15) . 26
4 .11 C or d s . 27
4.11.1 General (see E.16) . 27
4.11.2 Cords in toys intended for children under 18 months .28
4.11.3 Cords in toys intended for children 18 months and over but under 36
months .28
4.11.4 Fixed loops and nooses intended for children under 36 months .29
4.11.5 Cords on pull toys .29
4 .11. 6 E le c t r ica l cable s .29
4.11.7 Diameter of certain cords intended for children under 36 months .30
4.11.8 Self-retracting cords intended for children under 36 months .30
4.11.9 Toys attached to or intended to be strung across, or otherwise attached to,
a cradle, cot, perambulator or carriage.30
iii
4.11.10 C ords on toy bags .30
4.11.11 Cords, strings and lines for flying toys .30
4.12 F olding mechanisms (see E.17) . 30
4.12.1 T oy pushchairs, perambulators and similar toys .30
4.12.2 Other toys with folding mechanisms (see E.18) . 32
4.12.3 H inge-line clearance (see E.19). 32
4.13 H oles, clearances and accessibility of mechanisms . 32
4.13.1 Circular holes in rigid materials (see E.20) . 32
4.13.2 Accessible clearances for movable segments (see E.21) . 32
4.13.3 Chains or belts in ride-on toys (see E.22). 32
4.13.4 Other driving mechanisms (see E.23) . 33
4.13.5 Winding keys (see E.24) .34
4 .14 Spr i n g s (s e e E.25) .34
4.15 S tability and overload requirements .34
4.15.1 Stability of ride-on toys and seats .34
4.15.2 Overload requirements for ride-on toys and seats (see E.28) . 35
4.15.3 Stability of stationary floor toys (see E.29) . 35
4 .16 E nc lo s u r e s (s e e E.30) . 35
4 .16 .1 Vent i l at ion . 35
4.16 . 2 C los u r e s . 36
4.16.3 Toys that enclose the head . 37
4.17 I tems that cover the face and simulated protective equipment (see E.31) . 37
4.18 P rojectile toys (see E.32) . 37
4.18.1 General . 37
4 .18 . 2 P r oje c t i le s . 37
4.18.3 Projectile toys with stored energy .39
4.18.4 Projectile toys without stored energy . 41
4.19 F lying toys (see E.33) . . 42
4.19.1 G eneral . 42
4.19.2 Rotor blades on flying toys . 42
4.19.3 Rotor blades on remote-controlled flying toys . 43
4.20 A quatic toys (see E.34) . 43
4.21 B raking (see E.35) . 43
4.22 T oy bicycles (see 4.13.3 and E.36) .44
4.22.1 General .44
4.22.2 Instructions for use.44
4.22.3 Determination of maximum saddle height .44
4.22.4 Braking requirements .44
4.23 S peed limitation of electrically driven ride-on toys (see E.37) . 45
4.24 T oys containing a heat source . 45
4.25 L iquid-filled toys (see E.38) .46
4.26 M outh-actuated toys (see E.39) .46
4.27 T oy roller skates, toy inline skates and toy skateboards .46
4.28 P ercussion caps specifically designed for use in toys (see E.40) .46
4.29 A coustic requirements (see E.42) .46
4.30 T oy scooters (see E.44) . 47
4.30.1 G eneral . 47
4.30.2 Warnings and instructions for use .48
4 . 30 . 3 St r en g t h .48
4.30.4 Stability .48
4.30.5 Adjustable and folding steering tubes and handlebars .48
4.30.6 B raking .49
4 . 30 .7 W he el s i z e .49
4 . 30 . 8 P r oje c t ion s (s e e E.13) .49
4.31 Magnets and magnetic components (see E.45) .49
4.31.1 General .49
4.31.2 Magnetic or electrical experimental sets intended for children 8 years and
over .49
iv
4.31.3 All other toys with magnets and magnetic components .49
4.32 Y o-yo balls (see E.46) .50
4.33 S traps intended to be worn fully or partially around the neck (see E.47) .50
4.34 S ledges and toboggans with cords for pulling .50
4.35 J aw entrapment in handles and steering wheels (see E.48) .50
4.36 Assembly . 51
4.36.1 General . 51
4.36.2 Toys intended to be assembled by a child . 51
4.36.3 Toys intended to be assembled by an adult . 51
4.36.4 Toys that are intended to be disassembled between uses . 51
4.37 Functional toys . 52
4.38 T oys intended to come into contact with food . 52
4.39 I nflatable toys . . . 52
5 Te s t me t ho d s .52
5.1 G eneral . 52
5.2 S mall parts test . 53
5.3 T est for shape and size of certain toys . 53
5.4 S mall balls test .54
5.5 Test for pompoms.55
5.6 T est for pre-school play figures .55
5.7 A ccessibility of a part or component . 55
5.7.1 General . 55
5 .7. 2 P r i nc iple .56
5 .7. 3 A pp a r at u s . 56
5 .7.4 P r o c e du r e .56
5 . 8 S h a r p - e d g e t e s t . 57
5.8.1 G eneral . 57
5 . 8 . 2 P r i nc iple . 57
5 . 8 . 3 A pp a r at u s . 57
5 . 8 .4 P r o c e du r e .58
5 .9 S h a r p -p oi nt t e s t . 59
5.9.1 G eneral . 59
5 .9. 2 P r i nc iple . 59
5 .9. 3 A pp a r at u s . 59
5 .9.4 P r o c e du r e .60
5.10 D etermination of thickness of plastic film and sheeting . 61
5.10.1 General . 61
5 .10 . 2 A pp a r at u s . 61
5 .10 . 3 P r o ce du r e . 61
5.11 T est for cords . 61
5.11.1 Cord cross-sectional dimension . 61
5.11.2 Length of cords and electrical cables . 62
5.11.3 Breakaway feature separation test . 62
5.11.4 Test for fixed loops and nooses.63
5 .11. 5 S el f-r e t r ac t i n g c or d s . 67
5.11.6 Electrical resistance of cords . 67
5.12 S tability and overload tests .68
5.12.1 General .68
5.12.2 Sideways stability test, feet available for stabilization . .68
5.12.3 Sideways stability test, feet unavailable for stabilization .68
5.12.4 Fore and aft stability test .68
5.12.5 Overload test for ride-on toys and seats . 69
5.12.6 Stability test of stationary floor toys . 69
5.13 T est for closures and toy chest lids . 69
5 .13 .1 C lo s u r e s . 69
5.13.2 Toy chest lids .69
5.14 I mpact test for toys that cover the face . 70
5.15 K inetic energy and wall impact test (see 4.18) . 70
v
5.15.1 Kinetic energy of projectiles . 70
5.15.2 Wall impact test for projectiles .73
5.16 F reewheeling facility and brake performance test .73
5.16.1 Determination of freewheeling facility .73
5.16.2 B rake performance for mechanically or electrically powered ride-on toys
other than toy bicycles .73
5.16.3 Brake performance for toy bicycles .74
5.17 D etermination of speed of electrically driven ride-on toys .74
5.18 D etermination of temperature increases .74
5.19 L eakage of liquid-filled toys.74
5.20 D urability of mouth-actuated toys . 75
5 . 21 E x p a nd i n g m at er i a l s . 75
5.22 F olding or sliding mechanisms. 76
5 . 22.1 L o ad s . 76
5.22.2 Toy pushchairs and perambulators . 76
5.22.3 Other toys with folding mechanisms .77
5.23 W ashable toys .77
5.24 R easonably foreseeable abuse tests . 78
5.24.1 General . 78
5 . 24 . 2 D r op t e s t . 78
5.24.3 Tip-over test for large and bulky toys (see E.3) . 78
5.24.4 Dynamic strength test for wheeled ride-on toys other than toy scooters.80
5.24.5 Torque test .80
5 . 24 . 6 Ten s ion t e s t .80
5 . 24 .7 C ompr e s s ion t e s t .85
5 . 24 . 8 F le x u r e t e s t .86
5.25 D etermination of sound pressure levels .87
5.25.1 General test conditions .87
5.25.2 Specific test methods .88
5.26 S tatic strength for toy scooters .92
5.27 D ynamic strength for toy scooters . 93
5 . 27.1 P r i nc iple . 93
5 .27.2 L o ad . . 93
5 . 27. 3 P r o ce du r e .95
5.28 B rake performance for toy scooters. 95
5.28.1 General .95
5.28.2 Toy scooters with handbrake . 95
5.28.3 Toy scooters with foot brake .96
5.29 S trength of toy scooter steering tubes .96
5.29.1 G eneral .96
5.29.2 Resistance to downward forces .96
5.29.3 Resistance to upward forces.97
5.30 R esistance to separation of handlebar .97
5.31 T ension test for magnets .98
5 . 31.1 P r i nc iple .98
5.31.2 Toys with magnets or magnetic components .98
5.31.3 Toys that contain one magnet only and a mating metal component .99
5.31.4 Toys that contain one magnet only and no mating metal component .99
5.32 M agnetic flux index .99
5.32.1 General .99
5 . 32 . 2 P r i nc iple .99
5 . 32 . 3 A pp a r at u s .99
5 . 32 .4 P r o c e du r e .99
5.32.5 Calculation of magnetic flux index .100
5.33 I mpact test for magnets.100
5.34 S oaking test for magnets .100
5.35 D etermination of projectile range. 101
5.36 T ip assessment of rigid projectiles . 102
vi
5.37 L ength of suction cup projectiles . 102
5.38 Y o-yo ball measurements .103
5.38.1 Measurement of elastic constant, k .103
5.38.2 Measurement of initial length, l .104
5.39 J aw entrapment test .105
Annex A (informative) Age-grading guidelines. 107
Annex B (informative) Safety-labelling guidelines and manufacturer's markings .110
Annex C (informative) Design guidelines for toys attached to cribs or playpens .119
Annex D (informative) Toy gun marking . 120
Annex E (informative) Rationale . 121
Annex F (informative) Bath toy projection design guidelines . 148
Annex G (informative) Significant technical changes between this document and the
previous edition . . 149
Bibliography . 151
vii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In part
...