How to Determine Which Toy Safety Tests Your Product Needs

Determining the correct toy safety tests is one of the first steps in bringing a toy to market. One of the most common questions testing laboratories receive is: “What tests are required to make this toy compliant?”

There is no single testing package that applies to every toy. The required testing scope depends on where the toy will be sold, the applicable safety standards, the intended age group, product design, materials, and functional features.

For example, a wooden puzzle, a battery-operated educational toy, and a plush toy each present different safety risks. As a result, the laboratory testing required for each product will also differ.

Understanding how toy safety tests are determined helps manufacturers, importers, and retailers prepare the correct product information, reduce unnecessary testing costs, and avoid delays during product certification.

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Why Every Toy Has Different Testing Requirements

Toy safety testing is designed to identify hazards that may occur during normal use or foreseeable misuse by children.

Since every toy has a different design, construction, and intended use, laboratories evaluate each product individually before recommending a testing program.

Several factors influence the testing scope, including:

• Destination market
• Applicable toy safety standards
• Intended age group
• Toy category
• Materials and surface coatings
• Mechanical construction
• Electrical components
• Batteries or rechargeable functions
• Magnets
• Packaging and labeling

Only after reviewing these factors can the laboratory determine which tests are applicable.

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Step 1: Identify Your Target Market

The first step is identifying the country or region where the toy will be sold.

Different countries enforce different toy safety regulations, each with its own testing requirements.

Market	Common Toy Safety Standard
European Union	EN 71
United States	ASTM F963 + CPSIA
Australia & New Zealand	AS/NZS 8124
China	GB 6675
Brazil	INMETRO

If the same toy will be exported to multiple countries, it may require testing against more than one standard.

For example, a toy sold in both Europe and the United States may need to comply with EN 71, ASTM F963, and CPSIA requirements.

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Step 2: Determine the Applicable Toy Safety Standard

Once the destination market is known, the next step is identifying the applicable toy safety standard.

Each standard contains different technical requirements, although many evaluate similar safety hazards.

EN 71

EN 71 is the primary toy safety standard for products sold within the European Union. It includes requirements covering mechanical safety, flammability, chemical substances, and labeling.

ASTM F963

ASTM F963 is the principal toy safety standard used in the United States. It specifies safety requirements for mechanical performance, electrical safety, flammability, labeling, and product construction.

CPSIA

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a U.S. law that introduces additional requirements, including lead limits, phthalate restrictions, tracking labels, and Children’s Product Certificates (CPC).

AS/NZS 8124

AS/NZS 8124 establishes toy safety requirements for Australia and New Zealand.

GB 6675

GB 6675 is China’s mandatory toy safety standard and includes mechanical, chemical, flammability, and labeling requirements.

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Step 3: Identify the Toy Category

The type of toy plays a major role in determining which laboratory tests are required.

Common toy categories include:

• Plush toys
• Wooden toys
• Plastic toys
• Construction toys
• Educational toys
• Ride-on toys
• Electronic toys
• Battery-operated toys
• Water toys
• Magnetic toys
• Projectile toys
• Arts and crafts kits

Each category presents different safety risks.

For example:

• Ride-on toys require structural strength and stability evaluations.
• Plush toys may require flammability testing.
• Magnetic toys require assessment of accessible magnets.
• Electronic toys require electrical safety testing.

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Step 4: Determine the Intended Age Group

Age grading is one of the most important considerations in toy safety testing.

Laboratories assess whether the toy is intended for:

• Children under 36 months
• Children aged 3 to 5 years
• Children aged 6 years and above

Products designed for younger children are generally subject to stricter safety requirements because they are more likely to mouth, chew, or swallow small components.

Incorrect age grading may result in inappropriate testing, labeling issues, or regulatory non-compliance.

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Step 5: Review the Materials Used

The materials used to manufacture the toy determine many of the required chemical and physical tests.

Common materials include:

Material	Typical Evaluation
Plastic	Phthalates, heavy metals
Painted wood	Soluble elements, lead
Textile	Flammability
Rubber	Phthalates
Metal	Sharp edges, heavy metals
Foam	Chemical restrictions
Surface coatings	Toxic element analysis

Laboratories may also evaluate inks, paints, adhesives, decorative coatings, and accessible materials that children may touch or place in their mouths.

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Step 6: Evaluate Product Features and Functions

The toy’s design and functionality also affect the testing scope.

Laboratories assess features such as:

• Batteries
• Rechargeable systems
• Electrical circuits
• Magnets
• Sound-producing components
• Wheels
• Springs
• Folding mechanisms
• Cords and straps
• Projectile functions
• Water play features
• Inflatable components

Each feature may require additional safety evaluations under the applicable standard.

Once you understand the required testing scope, you can use our Toy Testing Cost Calculator to estimate the expected laboratory testing fees based on your product type, destination market, and applicable safety requirements.

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Common Toy Safety Tests

Once the product review is complete, laboratories select the appropriate combination of tests.

Most toy testing programs include mechanical, chemical, flammability, electrical, and labeling evaluations.

Mechanical and Physical Testing

Mechanical and physical testing evaluates whether a toy remains safe during normal use and foreseeable misuse.

Common tests include:

• Small Parts Test
• Sharp Point Test
• Sharp Edge Test
• Torque Test
• Tension Test
• Compression Test
• Drop Test
• Impact Test
• Flexure Test
• Bite Test
• Seam Strength Test
• Stability Test
• Static Load Test
• Dynamic Load Test

Not every toy requires every mechanical test. The applicable tests depend on the product design.

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Chemical Testing

Chemical testing verifies that restricted substances remain below regulatory limits.

Typical chemical evaluations include:

• Lead testing
• Phthalates testing
• Soluble heavy metals
• Toxic element analysis
• Surface coating testing

The required chemical testing depends largely on the materials used in the toy.

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Flammability Testing

Certain toys require flammability testing to evaluate how quickly materials ignite and burn.

This commonly applies to:

• Plush toys
• Soft-filled toys
• Textile toys
• Toy costumes
• Fabric accessories

The applicable requirements vary according to the destination market and toy category.

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Electrical Safety Testing

Electronic and battery-operated toys require additional electrical safety assessments.

These may include:

• Battery accessibility
• Battery compartment security
• Short-circuit protection
• Temperature rise
• Charging safety
• Electrical insulation
• Protection against electric shock

Electrical safety testing helps ensure the toy remains safe throughout its intended use.

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Label and Packaging Review

Toy safety compliance also includes reviewing product labels and packaging.

Laboratories typically verify:

• Intended age grading
• Warning statements
• Manufacturer information
• Importer information
• Country of origin
• Product identification
• Battery warnings
• User instructions
• Assembly instructions

A toy may successfully pass laboratory testing but still fail compliance if its labeling does not meet regulatory requirements.

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Example Testing Scope for Different Toy Types

The following examples illustrate how testing requirements vary depending on the product.

Toy Type	Typical Testing Scope
Wooden puzzle	Mechanical testing, chemical testing, label review
Plush toy	Mechanical testing, flammability, chemical testing
Battery-operated toy	Mechanical testing, electrical safety, chemical testing, label review
Ride-on toy	Structural strength, stability, load testing, chemical testing
Magnetic toy	Mechanical testing, magnet assessment, chemical testing

These examples are provided for reference only. The final testing scope is determined after the laboratory reviews the product.

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Information Laboratories Need Before Preparing a Testing Quotation

To determine the correct testing program, laboratories usually request technical information about the product.

Providing complete information helps reduce quotation revisions and testing delays.

Information commonly requested includes:

• Product photographs
• Product description
• Intended age group
• Destination market
• Material composition
• Product dimensions
• Battery specifications
• Functional description
• Packaging artwork
• User instructions
• Existing test reports, if available

The more complete the product information, the easier it is for the laboratory to recommend the appropriate testing scope.

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Common Mistakes When Determining Toy Safety Tests

Selecting the wrong testing scope can increase costs and delay product launches.

Assuming Every Toy Requires the Same Tests

Every toy is different. Testing requirements are determined according to the product’s design, materials, and intended use.

Choosing the Wrong Safety Standard

Testing against the wrong national standard may require additional testing before the product can legally enter the intended market.

Ignoring Material Composition

Chemical testing requirements vary significantly depending on the materials used.

Incorrect Age Grading

Incorrect age grading affects both laboratory testing and mandatory labeling requirements.

Requesting Testing Before Finalizing the Product

Changing materials, components, or construction after testing may require partial or complete retesting.

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Determining which toy safety tests your product needs begins with understanding the product itself. The destination market, applicable safety standards, toy category, intended age group, materials, and product features all influence the final testing scope selected by the laboratory.

Providing complete product information before requesting a quotation enables laboratories to recommend the appropriate testing program, helping manufacturers and importers complete compliance efficiently while reducing unnecessary testing costs and project delays.

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Frequently Asked Questions