Besrey - Jan 26 2026

What Do ASTM F963 / EN71 / CPSIA Mean? A Parent's Plain-English Guide

Have you ever wondered if the toy your child has was tested and approved to be safe? Or have you noticed that toys have acronyms like ASTM F963, CPSIA, or EN71 on their packaging? These codes can be confusing or even intimidating, but they're actually codes that ensure the safety of the toys your baby uses. Understanding these safety standards will make it easier to make informed decisions.

In this simple guide, we'll explain what the ASTM F963 standard for toys is, explain CPSIA for parents, and show you how to read toy labels like a pro. Whether you shop online or in stores, this guide will help you prioritize safety.

Why Toy Safety Standards Matter

Children have the capacity for curiosity and discovery typical of this stage, something we as parents know very well: they touch, throw, chew, and even destroy. With this in mind, toys must meet requirements that reduce the risks of injury, burns, poisoning, drowning, and even death.

Toy safety standards exist to:
· Injury Prevention such as choking and strangulation risks.
· Protect Health of chemical or toxic products (lead, phthalates, BPA) that affect the child's development.
· Toys according to their ages, durable and appropriate for the child's stage of development.
Knowing that your child is playing with safe toys can give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy watching them and have fun. Therefore, the importance of selling toys is regulated by safety standards; in the United States ASTM F963 and CPSIA are applied, while in the European Union the EN71 standard is applied.

ASTM F963 (US): Scope & Key Tests

What Is ASTM F963 for Toys?

In simple terms, ASTM F963 is a mandatory safety standard for all toys sold in the United States. This standard identifies common hazards associated with toys and establishes comprehensive safety requirements to mitigate them. Any toy sold in the U.S. for children under 14 must comply with ASTM F963. Besides, ASTM F963 defines how toys must be designed and tested to be safe.

Key Areas ASTM F963 Covers

ASTM F963 covers various aspects, among the most important of which are:
1. Mechanical & Physical Safety: When a child is playing, it's essential to ensure the toy is tested for breakage into small parts that could pose a choking hazard, especially for young children. Other risks include: sharp edges, projectiles and toys with explosive action, cords and loops, stability and strength (such as for ride-on toys) and strict limits on ingestion hazards from high-powered magnets.
2. Flammability: Testing materials and components (fabrics, threads, buttons) that prevent risks of combustion or burns to children.
3. Chemical Safety: ASTM F963 limits the use of harmful substances in paints and plastics, preventing the use of substances such as lead or heavy metals.
4. Electrical & Thermal Safety: Protection from overheating, leakage, and explosions from batteries.
5. Acoustic Safety: Toys that produce sounds must comply with appropriate decibel levels to avoid damage to children's hearing.

If the toys you bought meet the ASTM F963 standard, it means they have passed the test and are safe to use.

CPSIA (US): Certification & Recalls 

CPSIA Explained for Parents

What is CPSIA about? The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a U.S. law passed in 2008 to strengthen the protection of children's products. While ASTM F963 focuses on how toys are tested, CPSIA focuses on legal compliance, certification, and enforcement.

What CPSIA Requires
1. Chemical Restrictions: Strict limits on and specific phthalates
2. Third-party testing by a CPSC-accepted lab is required for compliance with safety rules.
 3. Children's Product Certificate (CPC): A written document certifying the product meets all applicable safety rules.
4. Tracking Labels: Permanent labels on the product and packaging with manufacturing details (date, batch/lot, supplier info) for recall purposes.
5. Registration Forms: Durable infant and toddler products must include a postage-paid registration form for consumers to register for recall notices.
6. Safety Standards: Compliance with mandatory safety standards, including mechanical and flammability requirements.

What's the point of this if it's not followed? If one of the CPSIA rules is broken, then a recall is issued, the toy can be removed from the market and its sale prohibited.

EN71 (Europe): How It Fits In

The EN71 standard is a mandatory toy safety directive established by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Any toy product sold to EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA) must pass corresponding EN71 test items and obtain qualified testing reports. This not only relates to legal circulation but also reflects companies' social responsibility to ensure child safety.

EN71 includes similar testing for:
•Physical and Mechanical Performance Tests
•Flammability Tests
•Chemical Substance Migration Tests
• Safety Testings Of Experimental Toys

Electrical Safety Evaluations
If you buy a toy and this EN71 label appears alongside ASTM F963 and CPSIA, it means that it is a toy that meets international safety standards and supports its safe use by children.

Real-World Packaging & Labels: How to Read Them

When you buy a toy and see all the different labels on the box, it can be overwhelming trying to understand what they mean. To make it easy, here's what you need to know:
Safety standards.:
ASTM F963 Compliant – Meets U.S. toy safety testing standards
CPSIA Compliant – Follows U.S. legal safety requirements
CPC Available Upon Request – Indicates proper certification

· Age Grading
· Warning Labels such as choking hazard.
· Manufacturer/Importer: Name and address for contact or recalls.
· Instructions: How to assemble, use, or care for the toy (often pictograms).
· Materials: Sometimes listed, especially for eco-friendly or allergen info.
Keep in mind that a good label should be visible and clear. If the label doesn't meet these specifications, the purchase isn't safe. Likewise, if you decide to buy online, you should carefully check the labels using photos.

Quick Parent Safety Checklist

After reading about safety regulations, and keeping this in mind, when buying a toy you should:

Before you purchase a toy:
•Read all warnings and instructions on the box: Ask yourself if the toy is right for your child’s ability and age.
•Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges.
•Buy toys that withstand impacts and won't break into dangerous pieces.
•Does it state ASTM F963 and CPSIA compliance? Look for the letters “ASTM.” This means the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
•Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
Before your child plays with their new toy, you should explain how to use it and dispose of toys that are broken.

Also:
• Keep your child away from toys that are not age-appropriate.
• Always supervise your child while they play.
• Store toys properly to prevent tripping hazards.
• Supervise the proper use of glue and scissors.

Conclusion

Understanding terms like ASTM F963, CPSIA, and EN71 will help ensure a successful purchase for our children. While it may sound technical, understanding these standards will make it easier for our children to play safely by avoiding the purchase of unsafe products that could harm them.

Next time you see “ASTM F963 compliant” or wonder about CPSIA explained, you’ll know exactly what to look for—and why it matters. Safe toys not only bring entertainment, but also peace of mind.

Article credit: 
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