Toy Safety Testing Checklist
Toy safety testing is structured around hazard-based evaluation rather than a fixed checklist. The specific tests applied to a toy depend on its design, materials, function, age grading, and foreseeable use. As a result, two toys within the same category may be subject to very different test scopes.
This article outlines the core testing categories commonly applied to toys and explains how laboratories determine the appropriate test plan for each product.
How Toy Test Scope Is Determined
Testing requirements are derived from a technical risk assessment. Laboratories evaluate:
• Intended age group
• Play pattern and user interaction
• Material composition
• Mechanical structure
• Presence of electrical or electronic components
• Likelihood of mouthing, chewing, or skin contact
• Foreseeable misuse
A soft plush toy, for example, presents a different risk profile from a battery-powered vehicle or a slime kit. Each triggers a different combination of tests.
Typical Test Scope by Toy Category
The table below provides a general reference for commonly applied test modules by toy type. This overview is indicative and does not replace a formal risk assessment.
| Toy Category | Typical Safety Risks | Commonly Required Test Modules |
| Plush Toys | Choking, flammability, fiber shedding, chemical exposure | Mechanical and physical tests, small parts, flammability, heavy metal migration, phthalates |
| Plastic Toys | Breakage, sharp edges, choking, chemical exposure | Mechanical and physical tests, small parts, sharp edge/point, heavy metals, phthalates, PAHs |
| Wooden Toys | Splintering, coating toxicity, detachment | Mechanical and physical tests, surface coating chemical tests, heavy metal migration |
| Battery-Operated Toys | Overheating, electric shock, battery access | Mechanical and physical tests, battery compartment security, abnormal operation, temperature rise, insulation |
| Ride-On Toys | Structural failure, tip-over, entrapment | Load testing, stability, mechanical strength, sharp edge/point, small parts |
| Sound and Light Toys | Hearing damage, visual strain | Sound pressure level testing, optical radiation, flicker evaluation |
| Projectile Toys | Eye injuries, choking hazards | Projectile energy and velocity testing, impact testing, detachment tests |
| Slime and Sensory Toys | Chemical exposure, microbiological growth | Chemical composition screening, preservatives, heavy metals, microbiological assessment |
| Water Toys | Leakage, mold growth, drowning risk | Seam integrity, water retention, hygiene-related testing |
| STEM and Science Kits | Chemical exposure, ingestion risk | Chemical safety testing, labeling review, small parts assessment |
Toy Safety Testing Checklist
Mechanical and Physical Safety Testing
Mechanical and physical tests evaluate whether a toy can cause choking, cuts, punctures, entrapment, or impact injuries.
Common test items include:
- Small parts determination
- Detachment testing
- Tension and torque testing
- Drop and impact resistance
- Compression resistance
- Sharp edge and sharp point evaluation
- Protrusion and entrapment checks
- Projectile energy measurement
These tests are especially critical for toys intended for children under 36 months.
Flammability Testing
Flammability testing evaluates how quickly materials ignite and how flame propagation occurs.
It is commonly applied to:
- Plush toys
- Textile-based toys
- Costumes and dress-up items
- Dolls with synthetic hair
- Surface coatings
Different markets specify different burn rate limits and test methods, even when the hazard objective is similar.
Chemical Safety Testing
Chemical testing is driven by material type, contact behavior, and foreseeable exposure.
Typical test categories include:
- Heavy metal migration (e.g., lead, cadmium, mercury)
- Phthalate content
- Formaldehyde content
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Preservatives and biocides
- Fragrance allergens
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Not all materials require the same chemical testing. A painted wooden toy, for example, requires a different chemical profile than a silicone teether.
Electrical and Battery Safety Testing
Toys containing electrical components introduce additional hazards and require specialized evaluation.
Typical tests include:
- Battery compartment security
- Overheating under normal and abnormal conditions
- Short-circuit protection
- Insulation resistance
- Electric shock prevention
- Mechanical robustness of wiring
- Abnormal operation testing
Button and coin cell batteries are subject to particularly strict safety controls in many markets.
Acoustic, Optical, and Energy Output Testing
Some toys require performance-based safety assessment.
This includes:
- Sound pressure level measurement for sound-emitting toys
- Light intensity and flicker evaluation
- Laser or LED exposure assessment
- Projectile velocity and kinetic energy testing
These tests are applied when a toy could affect hearing, vision, or cause impact injuries.
Hygiene, Cleanliness, and Microbiological Testing
Certain toy categories present hygiene-related risks.
Examples include:
- Liquid-filled toys
- Slime, gels, and putties
- Bath toys
- Sensory compounds
Testing may include microbial screening, preservative effectiveness evaluation, and contamination analysis.
Age Grading and Warning Assessment
Age grading is not a marketing decision. It is a safety classification.
Laboratories evaluate:
- Developmental appropriateness
- Accessibility of small parts
- Required warning statements
- Instruction clarity
- Hazard communication effectiveness
Incorrect age grading frequently results in regulatory noncompliance.
Multi-Market Testing Considerations
Although many standards address similar hazards, their test methods, limits, and acceptance criteria often differ.
Differences commonly occur in:
- Limit values
- Conditioning requirements
- Sample preparation
- Test apparatus
- Report format
- Accreditation rules
For this reason, multi-market testing should be planned before testing begins.
Relationship Between Testing and Documentation
Testing alone does not establish compliance.
Most markets also require:
- Risk assessments
- Technical documentation
- Declarations of conformity
- Product traceability
- Local-language instructions and warnings
Failure to align testing and documentation is a frequent cause of enforcement actions.
Typical toy testing requirements are derived from hazard-based evaluation rather than a universal checklist. Mechanical, chemical, flammability, electrical, and hygiene-related risks must be assessed based on product-specific characteristics.
Use our quotation tool as below to identify applicable standards, define required test modules, and receive a tailored cost estimate for your toy.
ASTM F963, EN71, ISO 8124 Toy Testing Price
Estimate toy testing scope and fees for your target market.
| Standard | Description | Quantity |
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