Toys

TOY TESTING OVERVIEW

AS/NZS ISO 8124.1 Safety of toys

Part1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties:

This standard applies to all toys, i.e. any product or material clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Austest Labs provides testing to this standard which includes the assessment of small hazards for choking, including button batteries.

AS/NZS ISO 8124.2 Safety of toys

Part2: Flammability

This standard includes general requirements relating to all toys and specific requirements and methods of testing relating to:

  • toys to be worn on the head,
  • toy disguise costumes,
  • toys intended to be worn by a child in a play,
  • toys intended to be entered by a child and
  • soft-filled toys with a piled surface or textile surface.

Examples of items NOT requiring Flammability: toy car/trucks, toy blocks, teethers etc

Austest Labs provides testing to this standard.

AS/NZS ISO 8124.3 Safety of toys

Part3: Migration of certain elements

This standard examines toys, components of toys and toy materials for the presence of Lead (Pb) and other heavy elements (Cd, As, Sb, Ba, Cr, Se, Hg), as indicated in AS/NZS ISO 8124.3, Migration of certain elements.  Austest uses a non-destructive method known as XRF scanning. The requirements in part 3 of AS/NZS ISO 8124 apply to the following:

  • all intended food and oral contact toys,
  • cosmetic toys and writing instruments categorized as toys irrespective of any age grading or recommended age labelling;
  • all toys intended for or suitable for children up to 72 months of age;
  • accessible coatings, irrespective of any age grading or recommended age labelling;
  • accessible liquids, pastes, gels (e.g. liquid paints, modelling compounds), irrespective of any age grading or recommended age labelling.

Austest Labs provides testing to this standard.

Note: Different colours have different chemicals, so each colour needs to be tested for migration of heavy elements.  Different fabrics/materials also need to be tested.

For example:  A blue & white wooden block will need 3 tests – timber, white paint, blue paint.  A stuffed toy will need a test of each colour of fabric, the eyes, nose, string used to sew paws and stuffing.

If the result of XRF testing is non-conclusive or close to the limit, wet (chemical) testing of the item may be required.

EMC

The ACMA RCM requirements mandate compliance for EMC emissions covering battery and mains powered toys with AS/NZS CISPR14.1 the applicable standard.

Note:

  • Austest does not test bikes, toys with magnets, electronic toys, dummy chains or a toy with a noise source.   We can however arrange for subcontracted testing to be undertaken.

Helpful Links

For a copy of our Toy Overview, which includes ballpark costs and other helpful info for a 1st time seller, importer or manufacturer, fill out our contact page and ask for a copy.

ACCC link to mandatory toy standards and requirements

Important information regarding Teething Necklaces

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