Lead Regulations in Children’s Toy Testing

Lead is a toxic metal and can cause developmental and neurological damage in children, especially when ingested or inhaled. In response, global regulatory bodies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforce strict limits on lead content in children’s toys. Compliance requires third-party laboratory testing to detect lead in paint, plastics, metals, and other materials. Lead testing ensures each component in a toy meets the standards set by laws such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement ACT (CPSIA), which mandates lead content limits in accessible parts of children’s products. Standards such as EN 71 impose a strict limit on lead and other heavy metals, as well as specific phthalate restrictions. It has a small part standard to prevent checking hazards in toys for children’s under the age of three.

Phthalate Restrictions

Phthalates are chemicals often used in plastics to make them flexible and durable. However, certain phthalates are associated with health risks, including endocrine disruption, especially in young children who may mouth toys.

The CPSC and other international safety standards restrict phthalate levels in toys, especially in products intended for infants and toddlers. Testing for phthalates involves chemical testing, ensuring that levels remain below set limits for safe use. Compliance with phthalate restrictions supports safe material selection, helping manufacturers avoid banned or restricted substances.

Small Parts Hazards

Chocking hazards are among the most common safety concerns in children’s toys. Small parts are especially dangerous for children under three years old, who often explore objects by putting them in their mouths. Toys go through testing procedures, including impact, compression, and small parts testing, to identify potential hazards. Products must pass the “small parts test” for safety, ensuring that no component breaks off into a size that could be swallowed or inhaled. Regulatory standards like ASTM F963 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety in the U.S. and EN 71 – 3 Specification for migration of certain Elements in Europe set detailed guidelines on small parts testing, helping prevent accidental choking.

Compliance Challenges and Solutions

Toy manufacturers have challenges in complying to diverse safety standards across different markets. Ensuring compliance can be difficult due to changing regulations, material sourcing challenges, and cost pressures. Working with a accredited third-party laboratory such as ACT Lab simplifies the compliance process. Our laboratories can quickly assess toy materials, design, and construction against multiple regional standards, helping manufacturers maintain safety across global markets.

Conclusion

Complying with safety standards for lead, phthalates, and small parts is essential for responsible toy manufacturing and retail. Testing protects children from exposure to harmful chemicals and accidental choking, making their lives safe. By staying ahead with these standards, manufacturers help create a safer environment for children to explore, learn, and play. 
 
Ensure your toys meet global safety standards. Email us at info@act-lab.com to schedule a comprehensive testing, giving your customers the confidence of high quality, complaint products. 

About ACT Lab

ACT Lab is an independent third-party ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratory and ISO/IEC 17065 certification body specializing in consumer product safety and compliance. Specialties include mechanical and chemical testing of bicycles, bicycle components, e-bicycles and accessories, helmets and head protection, scooters, sporting goods, children’s products, toys, outdoor industry products and more. Founded in 2008 with operations in USA, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Czech Republic, ACT Lab allows customers to deliver safer, more reliable products more effectively and consistently to market. For more information, please visit act-lab.com.

About COTECNA

COTECNA is a leading provider of testing, inspection, and certification services. We offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our trusted network of professionals and certified laboratories provide expertise across five key sectors: government & trade solutions, agriculture, food safety, minerals & metals, and consumer goods & retail. Founded in Switzerland in 1974, COTECNA started off as a family business and has now grown to become a world-class international player with over 5,000 employees in more than 100 offices across approximately 50 countries.  For more information, please visit cotecna.com.