Why Toy Safety Standards Matter
Global toy sales have soared — but so have safety concerns (e.g., choking hazards, chemical substances, small parts).
Regulations such as ASTM F963 (U.S.), EN71 (EU), and the CE Marking system ensure that toys entering major markets meet strict health and safety requirements.
For exporters and toy manufacturers (like Chengji Toys), understanding these standards is key to compliance, brand credibility, and smooth customs clearance.
When exporting toys, many suppliers fall into the same compliance traps — such as not knowing the difference between ASTM F963 and EN71, or not understanding how to properly affix the CE mark.
For example, some toys shipped to the U.S. were detained by customs because they hadn’t undergone ASTM F963 testing; others were rejected by European buyers because only EN71-3 test reports were provided, without the required CE Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
To help exporters avoid such costly mistakes, this article uses “plain language + practical guidance” to break down three core safety requirements — ASTM F963 (U.S.), EN71 (EU), and CE Marking (EU) — so you can accurately match your target market and ensure smooth customs clearance.
Overview of the Three Global Toy Safety Systems
1. ASTM F963 – United States: All toys sold or imported in the United States must comply with ASTM F963 standards.
Governed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
Applies to toys for children under 14 years old
Latest version: ASTM F963-23 (updated in 2023) – includes new limits for phthalates (plasticizers) and other chemicals.
Key testing items (what they truly cover)
Mechanical and physical safety: for example, “small parts testing”. Any toy part with a diameter less than 3 centimeters, such as buttons or beads, must pass a tension (pull) test to ensure that it does not loosen and cause suffocation. At Chengji Toys, we will help you check if your product is considered a “small part”.
Flammable: Plush toys and fabric toys must burn slowly – less than 0.10 inches per second – to reduce the risk of fire when children approach flames.
Chemical safety: Restrict the migration of 8 heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.). For example, the lead content in paint must be ≤ 90 ppm. The 2023 version has added restrictions on six phthalates (such as DEHP, ≤ 0.1%).
2.EN71 series: EU market access threshold
Applicable markets: EU 27+European Economic Area (such as Norway, Iceland), all toys sold domestically are mandatory
Core section: There are a total of 14 sections, and the most commonly used ones include:
EN71-1: Mechanical and physical properties, stricter than ASTM F963- such as “rope length limit”: ropes for children’s toys under 3 years old ≤ 22cm to prevent entanglement and suffocation
EN71-2: Flammability. Prohibit the use of highly flammable materials (such as nitrocellulose), and plush toys must undergo combustion testing with “no molten droplets”;
EN71-3: Control 19 types of heavy metals (11 more than ASTM F963), such as antimony and selenium content ≤ 60ppm, and test samples must cover “all accessible parts” (such as paint, plastic, fabric). Migration of certain elements (latest version EN71-3:2019+A2:2024)
EN71-9~EN71-13: Organic compounds and exposure limits
Practical tip: If your buyer is located in Europe, the UK, or Eastern Europe, you must hold a complete EN71 series report and include manufacturer details and safety warnings on the packaging.
3. CE mark – the “passport” for selling toys in the EU (not for testing!)!
The CE mark is not a safety test, but a compliance label indicating that the product complies with all relevant EU directives (primarily EN71 for toys).
Required objects: All toys sold in the European Union. The CE mark must appear on toys or their packaging, with a height of at least 5 millimeters, and cannot be altered or removed.
Labeling rules: The CE mark must be clear, permanent, and visible – usually printed on the product or packaging (not just on the tag).
Compliance steps: Perform EN71 and other required tests, obtain test reports, and sign the Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Common mistake: Thinking ‘CE=Completed’. If EU customs inspects your shipment, you must present a valid EN71 report and DoC; otherwise, it will still be considered non-compliant.
Practical suggestions:
The CE mark is not “printed and affixed arbitrarily”. If false or non-standard markings are found, they may be fined or recalled by the European Union Market Regulation Authority.
Google Trends shows that keywords such as “EN71 test report,” “ASTM F963 toy standard,” and “CE marking for toys” have been continuously gaining popularity since 2025.
Amazon, Walmart, Carrefour, and other platforms require EN71/ASTM reports; otherwise, the goods may be taken off the shelves.
Security certification has become the primary requirement for buyers to screen suppliers, and compliant factories are more likely to enter mainstream channels.
Final Thoughts
Toy safety standards are not bureaucratic barriers, but the foundation of trust and brand reputation. With 27 years of export experience, Chengji Toys is your compliant partner. It will help you avoid costly compliance traps. We will recommend third-party laboratories such as SGS and Intertek for cooperation based on your target market (such as the United States → ASTM F963, EU → EN71+CE), to assist in reviewing test reports and ensure that the “report data is consistent with the product” – for example, to help you confirm whether toy parts need to undergo small part testing to avoid missing tests.
By understanding ASTM F963, EN71, and CE markings, manufacturers and exporters can ensure zero delays, zero recalls, and maximum buyer confidence.
If you are unsure which standard the product should meet or need to view the corresponding test report samples, please feel free to contact us at any time
Chengji Toys – Building happiness on a safe foundation.
