Toys export to the United States certification test

What certifications and tests are required for toy exports to the United States?

In this era of global procurement, brand owners, retailers, importers, and manufacturers face significant challenges, especially in the toy and children's products industry, which is one of the most heavily regulated industries. Non-compliant toys and childcare products pose serious threats to children's health and your business reputation if recalled by authorities.

Summary of U.S. Toy Safety Standards 

Product | Testing Requirements 

Toys suitable for children 12 years and under (general) | ASTM F 963 Toy Safety Standard 

 | CPSIA Testing (Lead, Phthalates) 

 | CPSIA Tracking Label 

 | Small Parts Warning 

 | Children's Product Certificate (CPC) 

 | California Proposition 65 

 | Legal Mark URN Number Registration (for soft-filled toys) 

 | Textile Label 

 | Care Label 

 | Country of Origin

ASTM F 963 

ASTM F963 focuses on reducing potential safety hazards in toys. This standard covers various toys, including balls, plush toys, dolls and action figures, games, baby and preschool toys, ride-on toys, battery-powered toys, projectile toys, and more. 

ASTM F963 includes several sections covering safety requirements related to material quality, flammability, toxicology, small objects, accessible edges, sharp points, electrical/thermal energy, and more. 

ASTM F963 requires all toys to undergo simulated use and abuse testing procedures, as well as potential hazard assessments. This regulation specifies different requirements for various age limits to reflect the nature of hazards and children's expected ability to cope with these hazards—whether physical, mental, or both.

CPSIA Testing 

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regulates all children's products sold in the United States. Children's products are defined as those intended for use by children 12 years or younger. CPSIA mandates third-party laboratory testing for each children's product sold in the U.S. 

◉ CPSIA Total Lead Content 

◉ CPSIA Phthalate Content

CPSIA Tracking Label 

Toys must have a CPSIA-required tracking label. The tracking label should include the following information: 

◉ Importer Company Name 

◉ Production Location 

◉ Production Date 

◉ Batch Number

Country of Origin 

Toys sold in the U.S. must undergo country of origin marking. A permanent country of origin label must be affixed to the product and its packaging. Therefore, stickers are not acceptable.

Electronic Toys 

If you plan to sell electronic toys, such as remote-controlled toys, in the U.S., you must be aware of the following regulations and standards in addition to the general toy standards mentioned above:

FCC Part 15 (Federal Communications Commission Part 15) 

FCC Part 15 regulates electronic toys with a CPU operating frequency of 9 kHz or higher. It also covers most consumer electronic products and electrical equipment imported into the U.S.

FCC Mark 

After passing the FCC Part 15 test, you can add the FCC mark to the product and packaging.

FCC Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) 

The manufacturer or importer must provide an SDoC for electronic toy products, which should include the following information: 

◉ Issuing Company 

◉ Address 

◉ Telephone/Fax 

◉ Product Name 

◉ Model Number 

◉ Applicable Standard (e.g., FCC Part 15) 

◉ Representative’s Signature 

◉ Date

U.S. Electrical Product Safety Standards 

Electrical product safety standards in the U.S. are voluntary. However, you can apply for the ETL certification mark and the UL mark to ensure that your toy products meet electrical safety standards in the U.S. If your imported toy product causes any property damage or personal injury, you are liable. Therefore, you need to ensure product safety before importing to the U.S.

UL Standards 

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sets safety standards for electronic toy products, such as: 

UL 696 – Standard for Electric Toys 

UL 498 – Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles 

UL 83 – Standard for Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables

Amazon 

Amazon typically requires a UL test report to ensure your product's compliance. U.S. retailers also tend to require their suppliers to provide a UL test report.

Wooden Toys 

Certain wooden products, including some wooden toys, are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). Manufacturers must be approved wooden craft manufacturers. Approved manufacturers meet the facility requirements agreed upon by the U.S. and China. This includes facility sanitation, pest control, material quarantine, traceability, fumigation, and heat treatment requirements: 

Quarantine treatment of wooden crafts 

Heat treatment and/or fumigation 

Clean and orderly production areas 

Quality management, such as pest control and traceability systems

Children’s Toys Containing Composite Wood Panels 

Certain children’s toys containing composite wood panels (plywood, MDF, particleboard) must obtain EPA/CARB certification.