ASTM F963: Meeting U.S. Toy Safety Standards
Ensure your toys meet one of the world’s most rigorous safety standards before entering the U.S. market.
QIMA offers accredited testing and expert guidance designed to help your toy products meet all ASTM F963 requirements. From product design to final certification, we provide comprehensive support throughout the process, helping you deliver safe and compliant toys that are ready to be sold in the U.S.
Learn more about:
What Is ASTM F963?
Understanding the U.S. Certification Process
Lab Testing for ASTM F963 Compliance
Easy Scheduling and Real-Time Access
Expert Guidance
Stay On Top of New Research
QIMA Benefits
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What Is ASTM F963?
ASTM F963 is a mandatory safety standard for all toys sold in the United States. The standard identifies common hazards associated with toys and establishes comprehensive safety requirements to mitigate them. Since it became mandatory under U.S. law in 2009, toy recalls have dropped significantly, from 172 in 2008 to fewer than 20 annually since 2018.
Complying with ASTM F963 not only keeps children safe but also protects your brand from recalls, legal issues, and reputational damage, while ensuring smooth market access and consumer trust.
Understanding the U.S. Certification Process
Before a toy designed for children aged 12 or younger can be sold in the U.S., the company producing or importing the toy must test the product for compliance with ASTM F963. Once deemed compliant by a laboratory approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the responsible company must produce a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) for each batch. This Certificate must be provided to retailers and, upon request, to the CPSC.
Your CPC should include information such as:
A detailed description of the product covered by your CPC
Every CPSC product safety rule required for certification
Manufacturer or importer information
Contact information for the individual maintaining records of test results
Product origin
Any third-party, CPSC-accepted laboratory information used in the certification process
For more details and examples of CPC’s, visit CPSC’s website.
Lab Testing for ASTM F963 Compliance
QIMA provides comprehensive lab testing services specifically designed to help toy manufacturers and brands ensure their products meet the full scope of ASTM F963 requirements. We conduct rigorous testing procedures that mirror regulatory protocols, providing reliable results accepted by U.S. authorities and major retailers.
Our accredited laboratories are equipped to test for and evaluate a broad set of requirements defined in ASTM F963, including:
Mechanical and physical properties
Small parts and choking hazards
Flammability
Toxic elements, such as lead and phthalates
Other chemical or labeling requirements.
Easy Scheduling and Real-Time Access
You can easily manage all aspects of toy and juvenile product testing through our digital platform and mobile application:
Book new tests anytime, anywhere
Track pending orders in real time
Access results directly from your device
You also gain access to valuable supply chain insights, such as:
A summary of your quality control (QC) activity
Quality statistics for all your suppliers
Industry benchmarking data and more
Expert Guidance
We support ASTM F963 compliance throughout the entire product lifecycle, from design to market launch. From the earliest stages of product design to final certification and shipment, QIMA assists you in understanding and addressing the wide-ranging criteria defined in ASTM F963.
We work closely with toy companies to assess potential risks and integrate compliance considerations into product specifications and design, minimizing costly delays or redesigns later in the process.
Stay On Top of New Research
By partnering with QIMA, you stay up to date on the latest research in toy safety, child development, materials, and industry trends. This knowledge helps you make smarter decisions at every stage of toy development. It also allows you to anticipate and prepare for potential changes to ASTM standards before they become mandatory.
Contact us to learn more about ASTM F963 compliance or create an account to book ASTM F963 lab testing.
QIMA Benefits
Global coverage in over 100 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America.
Flexibility with fully customizable programs and reports to save time and cost.
Risk-based approach with analytical data to help you proactively identify and prevent quality and safety issues in your supply chain.
Fully certified and accredited to all major inspection, audit, and testing schemes.
Custom dashboard to identify trends and make informed decisions in real time.
Personalized service with dedicated account manager and 24-hour customer support.
Ranked #1 in the industry for customer satisfaction based on independent NPS measurement.
More Resources
Quality Assurance Services: Evaluate product designs and assess risks to ensure your development process aligns with safety standards and intended use.
Consumer Product Testing: Test products against national and international standards, including small parts verification, product abuse resistance, and hazardous chemical levels.
Test Mark Certification: Certify your product with a voluntary and independent mark that demonstrates high quality and safety.
Product Inspections: Conduct on-site inspections to evaluate production quality and maintain oversight, with 80% of reports delivered the same day.
