Test guide · ASTM F963 editions

ASTM F963-23 vs F963-17: what changed, and do I need to retest?

Last verified October 21, 2026 · General information, not legal advice

Short answer: ASTM F963-23 replaced F963-17 as the mandatory US toy safety standard (16 CFR 1250) effective April 20, 2024, under a CPSC direct final rule. The safety changes are in three areas: battery accessibility, expanding materials, and sound-producing push and pull toys; most other edits are clarifications. Toys manufactured after April 20, 2024 must meet F963-23, and test reports must say “ASTM F963-23” with the sections tested, so a report that only cites F963-17 won't support a CPC for a toy made after that date.

Last verified: October 21, 2026. General information, not legal advice. KidsTestingLabs is an independent directory and guide: we don't test products and never issue or certify Children's Product Certificates. The US importer or US manufacturer is responsible for certifying compliance.

Timeline

When did F963-23 become mandatory?

Dates from the Federal Register and CPSC.

DateWhat happened
Aug 1, 2023ASTM approves F963-23
Oct 23, 2023ASTM notifies CPSC of the revision
Jan 18, 2024CPSC publishes a direct final rule incorporating F963-23 into 16 CFR 1250 (89 FR 3344)
Apr 20, 2024F963-23 becomes the mandatory toy standard; toys manufactured after this date must meet it
Mar 12, 2026Extra water bead toy requirements take effect (16 CFR 1250.4)
Jun 15, 2026Extra neck float requirements take effect (16 CFR 1250.5)

Sources: Federal Register, Jan 18, 2024: ASTM F963-23 direct final rule (89 FR 3344), CPSC: Toy Safety Business Guidance, Federal Register, Dec 12, 2025: Water beads rule (90 FR 57820), Federal Register, Dec 15, 2025: Neck floats rule (90 FR 58096). As of October 21, 2026, 16 CFR 1250.2 still names ASTM F963-23 as the mandatory edition (eCFR 16 CFR 1250.2). Last verified: October 21, 2026.

What changed

What's different in F963-23?

CPSC grouped the revisions into changes that affect safety and changes that don't.

AreaF963-23 changeImpact
Battery accessibility (4.25)“Tool” becomes “common household tool”; toys with small part batteries for children over 8 now get use-and-abuse testing (Note 22); battery cover fasteners must stay attached (4.25.4.3); specialty fasteners such as Torx allowed if the tool is supplied (4.25.4.4) with new instructions to keep the tool away from children (6.9)Safety
Expanding materials (4.40)Scope widened to small expanding parts inside a shell meant to be opened or dissolved, and to items sold expanded that can shrink back to a re-expandable small part; new “removable component” definitionSafety
Sound-producing toys (4.5)New 94 dB(A) LAFmax limit for push or pull toys in user-propelled mode; CPSC dropped its old F963-17 exception (16 CFR 1250.2(c)); definitions and test methods clarifiedSafety
Toxicology (4.3)Substrate section reworded (paper and paperboard excluded, moved from a note); 4.3.8 retitled “Phthalates” to restate 16 CFR 1307; water cleanliness can follow the latest USP <1231>No change in requirements
Tracking labels (5.1.2)New section restating CPSC tracking-label rulesRestatement only
Test methodsDrop-test floor now referenced to ASTM F1066 (same surface); sieve units corrected; projectile test steps reorderedNo safety impact

Source: Federal Register, Jan 18, 2024: ASTM F963-23 direct final rule (89 FR 3344) (section II, Revisions in ASTM F963-23). Read F963-23 free in the ASTM Reading Room (read-only F963-23). Last verified: October 21, 2026.

Retesting

Do I need to retest to F963-23?

It depends on when the toy was made and what your report says.

  • Toy manufactured before April 20, 2024An F963-17 report can still support certification for those units; CPSC ties the edition to date of manufacture.No
  • Toy manufactured after April 20, 2024, report cites only F963-17The CPC must certify to F963-23, and reports must show “ASTM F963-23” and specific sections.Yes
  • Battery toy, expanding material, or sound-producing push/pull toyThese are the areas where requirements actually changed. Test them to F963-23.Yes
  • Continuing productionPeriodic testing is due anyway: at least once a year without a periodic testing plan.Periodic
  • Selling toys on AmazonAmazon's toy policy asks for F963-23 on a report issued within the previous 12 months.Yes
  • Water bead toys or neck floatsAlso check the newer 16 CFR 1250.4 and 1250.5 requirements.Check

Sources: CPSC: Toy Safety Business Guidance, Federal Register, Jan 18, 2024: ASTM F963-23 direct final rule (89 FR 3344), eCFR: 16 CFR 1107.21, Amazon Seller Central: Children's toys, Federal Register, Dec 12, 2025: Water beads rule (90 FR 57820), Federal Register, Dec 15, 2025: Neck floats rule (90 FR 58096). Last verified: October 21, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Labs

Can my lab test to F963-23?

Yes, if it's CPSC-accepted for the matching F963-17 sections. CPSC said it would accept F963-23 testing from labs already accepted for the corresponding F963-17 provisions, and gave those labs two years to update their accreditation scope to F963-23. Third-party testing still covers the same 37 provisions of F963. Confirm the lab's current scope on the CPSC lab search.

Sources: Federal Register, Jan 18, 2024: ASTM F963-23 direct final rule (89 FR 3344) (section V, Notice of Requirements), eCFR: 16 CFR part 1112 (lab acceptance requirements). Last verified: October 21, 2026.

CPC

How do I cite F963-23 on my CPC?

CPSC says to cite “16 C.F.R. part 1250 – Children's toys” followed by the applicable ASTM F963 sections, plus related rules such as total lead (15 U.S.C. 1278a) and lead in paint (16 CFR 1303) where they apply. Section 4.2 flammability isn't part of the mandatory standard (CPSC toy safety guidance, CPSC: ASTM F963 chart).

Last verified: October 21, 2026. Use our free CPC builder to lay out all 7 elements. KidsTestingLabs never issues or certifies CPCs.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When did ASTM F963-23 become mandatory?

April 20, 2024. CPSC's direct final rule (89 FR 3344, January 18, 2024) incorporated F963-23 into 16 CFR part 1250, and toys manufactured after that date must meet it.

Is my F963-17 report still valid?

Only for toys manufactured before April 20, 2024. For toys made after that date, the CPC must certify to F963-23 and reports must show “ASTM F963-23” with the sections tested.

What are the biggest changes from F963-17?

Battery accessibility (more abuse testing and fastener rules), a wider scope for expanding materials, and a new sound limit for push and pull toys. CPSC describes most other edits as clarifications that don't affect safety.

Is there a newer edition than F963-23?

As of October 21, 2026, 16 CFR 1250.2 still names ASTM F963-23 as the mandatory edition. CPSC has added separate requirements for water bead toys (from March 12, 2026) and neck floats (from June 15, 2026).

Does F963-23 add new third-party tests?

CPSC requires third-party testing for the same 37 F963 provisions as before, renumbered to F963-23. What changed is the content of some requirements, such as battery and expanding-material tests.

Where can I read F963-23 for free?

ASTM offers a read-only copy in its online Reading Room.

Next step

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Sources

Official sources we checked

Checked October 21, 2026. Rules and marketplace policies change; confirm on the source before you act.