AS/NZS 8124 Toy Safety Guide
AS/NZS 8124 is the toy safety standard that defines the mandatory requirements for toys sold in Australia and New Zealand. It ensures that toys intended for children under the age of 14 meet strict physical, mechanical, chemical, and flammability criteria before they reach the market. Any toy supplied within these regions must comply with AS/NZS 8124 as part of the legal framework that governs product safety.
The standard sits within the regulatory system for consumer products in both countries and aligns closely with international frameworks such as ISO 8124 and EN 71. It addresses a broad range of potential hazards, including small parts, material toxicity, packaging risks, and fire safety.
Understanding the AS/NZS 8124 Standard
What AS/NZS 8124 Regulates
AS/NZS 8124 aligns closely with international toy safety frameworks such as ISO 8124 and the European EN 71 series. It defines requirements that protect children from hazards associated with normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
The standard regulates:
- Mechanical and physical properties
- Flammability
- Migration of certain chemicals and heavy metals
- Toxicity
- Age labeling and warnings
- Design features for toys intended for infants
- Packaging hazards
These sections allow laboratories and compliance teams to evaluate each toy using measurable and repeatable criteria.
The Purpose of AS/NZS 8124
Children engage with toys through touch, movement, mouthing, and active play. Because of this, toys must be strong enough to withstand repeated handling, safe enough to avoid injury, and chemically stable enough to prevent exposure to harmful substances.
Regulators in Australia and New Zealand enforce AS/NZS 8124 to prevent incidents such as choking, poisoning, cuts, burns, and ingestion of small components. Failure to comply may lead to recalls, import detentions, and commercial loss.
Structure of AS/NZS 8124
The standard consists of several parts. Each part focuses on a unique category of safety assessment.
AS/NZS 8124 Part 1 – Mechanical and Physical Properties
This section evaluates hazards that arise from design, shape, structure, and material strength. It examines potential risks during both normal play and foreseeable misuse.
AS/NZS 8124 Part 2-Flammability Requirements
This section defines acceptable flammability limits for toys, especially those containing textiles, plastics, and soft materials. It assesses how quickly materials ignite and whether a flame spread hazard exists
AS/NZS 8124 Part 3 – Migration of Elements and Chemical Tests
This section regulates chemical exposure. It tests for heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and mercury. It also outlines extraction methods for paints, inks, plastics, and other materials
AS/NZS 8124 Additional Sections
These address a variety of safety considerations, including:
- Safety of swings, slides, and large play equipment
- Safety of toys with cords and elastic components
- Warning labels for projectile toys
- Requirements for loudness of sound-producing toys
- Battery compartment safety for electronic toys
Each section targets predictable hazards and ensures that toys entering the market demonstrate a consistent level of safety.
Mechanical and Physical Testing Requirements
Mechanical hazards are among the most common reasons toys fail compliance. Part 1 provides detailed criteria and testing procedures.
Small Parts and Choking Hazards
Tests determine whether small components, accessible fragments, or pieces that may break off can enter a small parts cylinder. Toys intended for children under three must not present choking risks.
Sharp Edges and Sharp Points
Physical inspections and automated testing equipment identify edges or tips that could cut or puncture the skin. Toys must remain safe even after repeated abuse testing.
Tension, Compression, and Torque Tests
These tests simulate real-world handling. The toy is pulled, twisted, or pressed to evaluate structural integrity. Components must not detach or deform in ways that create hazards.
Drop, Impact, and Compression Tests
Laboratories perform drops and impacts from specified heights to ensure that toys remain safe even after being dropped on hard surfaces. This simulates everyday use by children.
Folding and Hinged Toy Safety
Any toy with moving parts must avoid pinch points and crushing hazards. Testing confirms that fingers cannot become trapped.
Cords, Ribbons, and Straps
Cords on pull toys, drawstring components, or attachments must comply with strict length and strength requirements to prevent strangulation or entanglement.
Flammability Requirements Under AS/NZS 8124 Part 2
Flammability is a significant risk, especially in costumes, textiles, and soft toys.
Key Flammability Tests
- Surface flammability of textiles
- Flammability of pile or plush materials
- Burn rate measurements
- Ignition response to a controlled flame source
Materials that ignite too easily or burn too quickly cannot be used in toys meant for children.
Special categories such as dress-up costumes and wigs are tested with additional criteria.
Chemical Safety and AS/NZS 8124 Part 3 Requirements
Chemical exposure poses long-term health risks. AS/NZS 8124 Part 3 aligns closely with international limits on heavy metals and hazardous substances.
Heavy Metal Migration Tests
Migration tests simulate saliva and gastric fluids to determine whether harmful elements can leach from paints, plastics, inks, and coatings.
Tested chemicals include:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Selenium
- Antimony
- Barium
Additional Chemical Screening
Depending on the toy type, laboratories may also screen for:
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Nitroamines and nitrosatable substances
Toy manufacturers must ensure that all coatings and materials remain within permitted limits throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Age Grading, Warnings, and Labeling Requirements
Proper labeling is essential for safe toy selection and regulatory compliance.
Age Grading
Age recommendations must match the toy’s intended user population. Assessments consider motor skills, mouthing behavior, and cognitive development.
Mandatory Warnings
Warnings must be clear, durable, and easy to read. Examples include:
- Choking hazard warnings
- Projectile toy warnings
- Battery safety warnings
- Instructions for safe assembly or use
Incorrect or missing labels often lead to import refusal.
Battery Safety Requirements for Electronic Toys
Electronic toys must demonstrate battery safety through:
- Secure battery compartments
- Screw-fastened covers
- Proper polarity markings
- Prevention of overheating and leakage
Button batteries must meet strict security requirements. Children must not be able to access the battery compartment without tools.
Sound Level Requirements
Toys that emit sound must comply with acoustic criteria to prevent hearing damage. Testing measures continuous noise, impulse noise, and maximum allowable sound pressure levels.
Examples include:
- Musical toys
- Squeezable sound toys
- Electronic sound modules
- Toy guns and impact toys
Testing Process for AS/NZS 8124 Compliance
Step 1: Product Review
A compliance team examines the toy’s design, materials, labeling, and intended age group to determine applicable sections of AS/NZS 8124.
Step 2: Sample Preparation
Representative samples from production are selected. This ensures that testing reflects actual manufacturing conditions.
Step 3: Laboratory Testing
Accredited laboratories conduct mechanical, physical, chemical, and flammability tests according to the detailed methods in the standard.
Step 4: Evaluation of Results
Qualified assessors review test outcomes to confirm compliance or identify non-conforming areas.
Step 5: Corrective Actions
Manufacturers may address design issues or material problems before retesting.
Step 6: Compliance Documentation
A full test report along with labeling review and technical file preparation supports import clearance and routine regulatory inquiries.
Common Causes of AS/NZS 8124 Failure
Non-compliance with AS/NZS 8124 often results from predictable issues that can be addressed during product development and early production planning. The following areas represent the most frequent causes of failure during laboratory evaluation.
Small Parts Produced During Abuse Testing
Components may detach when subjected to tension, torque, impact, or drop tests. Detachable small parts present a choking hazard, particularly for toys intended for children under three years of age.
Excessive Migration of Heavy Metals
Coatings, inks, plastics, and decorative elements can release prohibited levels of heavy metals when raw materials are not strictly controlled. Variability in pigments or recycled plastic content is a common root cause.
Sharp Edges or Points Forming After Mechanical Stress
Materials with low durability may crack, fracture, or deform during mechanical testing. Breakage can expose sharp points or edges that pose laceration risks to children.
Insufficient Flammability Performance
Textiles, plush materials, and costume components may ignite or burn at rates exceeding the limits defined in Part 2 of the standard. Material selection and fabric treatments significantly influence flammability outcomes.
Incorrect or Missing Mandatory Warnings
Non-compliant labeling is one of the most frequent reasons for rejection. Required warnings must be accurate, age-appropriate, and permanently affixed. Deviations in wording, placement, or durability often lead to failure.
Inadequately Secured Battery Compartments
Electronic toys must prevent child access to button and coin batteries. Compartments that lack secure fastening or do not meet mechanical strength requirements may fail safety evaluation due to ingestion hazards.
AS/NZS 8124 provides a comprehensive framework for toy safety in Australia and New Zealand. Compliance requires thoughtful design, reliable materials, and rigorous testing. Companies that follow the standard protect both their customers and their brand.
For support with AS/NZS 8124 testing preparation or compliance review, contact our team to begin the evaluation process.
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