ASTM F963-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F963 − 17 F963 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
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Toy Safety
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F963; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this consumer safety specification is to establish nationally recognized safety
requirements for toys. Although this specification will not eliminate the need for the exercise of
parental responsibility in selecting toys appropriate to the age of a child, or parental supervision in
situations in which children of various ages may have access to the same toys, its application will
minimize accidents in the normal, intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse of the toys covered
by this specification. This specification was developed originally as a Voluntary Product Standard
under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, and published in
1976 (PS 72–76). The present revision is intended to update the safety requirements to include the
following by reference: published federal mandatory requirements, relevant voluntary standards,
certain new requirements for addressing potential hazards, and several technical revisions based on
producer experience with the original standard.
1. Scope
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1.1 This specification relates to possible hazards that may not be recognized readily by the public and that may be encountered
in the normal use for which a toy is intended or after reasonably foreseeable abuse. It does not purport to cover every conceivable
hazard of a particular toy. This specification does not cover product performance or quality, except as related to safety. Except for
the labeling requirements pointing out the functional hazards and age range for which the toy is intended, this specification has
no requirements for those aspects of a toy that present an inherent and recognized hazard as part of the function of the toy. Such
an example is a sharp point necessary for the function of a needle. The needle is an inherent hazard that is well understood by the
purchaser of a toy sewing kit, and this hazard is communicated to the user as part of the normal educational process.
1.2 On the other hand, while a riding toy has inherent hazards associated with its use (for example, falling off onto the sidewalk),
the possible hazards associated with its construction (sharp edges, exposed mechanisms, etc.) will be minimized by the application
of this specification.
1.3 This specification covers requirements and contains test methods for toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age.
Different age limits for various requirements will be found in this specification. These limits reflect the nature of the hazards and
expected mental or physical ability, or both, of a child to cope with the hazards.
1.4 Articles not covered by this specification are as follows:
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This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.22
on Toy Safety.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2017October 2023. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20162017 as
F963 – 16.F963 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/F0963-17.10.1520/F0963-23.
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The Toy Association sometimes provides its interpretations of this specification through its counsel as a service to its members and others. The Toy Association’s
interpretations are not reviewed or approved by ASTM and should be viewed as The Toy Association’s alone.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F963 − 23
Bicycles
Tricycles
Non-Powered Scooters
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2264)
Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes
(see Consumer Safety Specification F2641)
Sling shots and sharp-pointed darts
Playground equipment
Non-powder guns
Kites
Hobby and craft items in which the finished item is not
primarily of play value
Model kits in which the finished item is not primarily of
play value
Crayons, paints, chalks, and other similar art materials in
which the material itself or the finished item is not
primarily of play value, except that all art materials,
whether or n
...