Test guide · Toy safety standard
What is ASTM F963 testing, and which sections apply to my toy?
Short answer: ASTM F963-23 is the mandatory US toy safety standard (16 CFR 1250) for toys manufactured after April 20, 2024. Toys for kids 12 and under must be tested by a CPSC-accepted lab to every section that applies, and the CPC must cite “16 CFR part 1250” followed by those sections. CPSC's own benchmark for the F963 heavy-elements test is about $60 in China to $190 in the US per test.
Last verified: October 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.
Key sections
Which F963 sections need third-party testing?
Not every section applies to every toy. CPSC's F963 chart helps map them.
| Section | Covers | Typically applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3.5.1 / 4.3.5.2 | Heavy metals in paint and in substrates | Painted toys; accessible substrates of toys that can be mouthed |
| 4.3.6 / 4.3.7 | Cleanliness of liquids, putties, gels; stuffing materials | Slime and putty; stuffed toys |
| 4.5 | Sound-producing toys | Toys that make sound |
| 4.6 (with 16 CFR 1501) | Small objects | Toys for children under 3 |
| 4.7 / 4.9 | Accessible edges and points | Toys for children under 8 |
| 4.14 | Cords, straps and elastics | Toys for under-18-month and under-36-month children |
| 4.25 | Battery-operated toys | Any toy with batteries |
| 4.27 | Stuffed and beanbag-type toys | Plush |
| 4.38 / 4.40 | Magnets; expanding materials | Toys with magnets; water-absorbing toys |
Sources: CPSC: Toy Safety Business Guidance, CPSC: ASTM F963 chart, CPSC lab scope list. CPSC’s lab scope list also includes 16 CFR 1250.4 (water beads) and 1250.5 (neck floats).
No lab needed
Which F963 sections don't need a CPSC-accepted lab?
- 4.1 Material quality: a visual check, not subject to third-party testing.
- 4.2 Flammability: not part of the mandatory standard under 16 CFR 1250.2(b) and not cited on a CPC. Toys containing a flammable solid are still banned hazardous substances.
- Labeling (5), instructional literature (6), producer's markings (7): required, but no CPSC-accepted lab assessment.
- Sections that restate other rules: cite the underlying rule. Electrical toys cite 16 CFR 1505 instead of 4.4; small parts cite 16 CFR 1501; toy pacifiers add 16 CFR 1511; rattles add 16 CFR 1510; paint adds 16 CFR 1303.
Amazon's toy policy lists the same set (4.1, 4.2, 4.3.1, 5, 6, 7) as not needing a CPSC-accepted lab. Sources: CPSC: Toy Safety Business Guidance, Amazon Seller Central: Children's toys.
Versions
Which edition of F963 applies to my toy?
Tied to the date of manufacture, wherever the toy is made.
| Manufactured after | Must meet |
|---|---|
| April 20, 2024 | ASTM F963-23 |
| February 28, 2018 | ASTM F963-17 |
| April 30, 2017 | ASTM F963-16 |
| June 12, 2012 | ASTM F963-11 |
Source: CPSC: Toy Safety Business Guidance. A read-only copy of F963 is available in ASTM’s reading room.
Cost and steps
How much does F963 testing cost, and how do I start?
Labs quote per toy. CPSC's benchmark puts the F963 heavy-elements test at about $60 in China to $190 in the US, or about $40 per component with HDXRF (Federal Register 2020). One 2026 vendor table estimates $1,500–$8,000 for a full F963 scope per toy SKU depending on complexity (EnforceIntel, vendor estimate). Request itemized quotes.
- Confirm it's a toy for kids 12 and under (F963 covers under 14, but CPSC testing and CPCs apply to 12 and under).
- Map applicable sections with CPSC's F963 chart and the Regulatory Robot.
- Pick a lab accepted for each F963-23 section at that location (CPSC lab search).
- Test production samples; issue a CPC citing 16 CFR part 1250 and each section.
- Retest at least yearly by default (16 CFR 1107.21) and when a new edition takes effect. See plush and lead and phthalates.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is ASTM F963 mandatory?
Yes. The CPSIA made ASTM F963 a mandatory consumer product safety standard, codified at 16 CFR part 1250. F963-23 applies to toys made after April 20, 2024.
Is my F963-17 report still valid?
Only for toys manufactured before April 20, 2024. Toys made after that date must meet F963-23, and Amazon's toy policy asks for F963-23.
Do toys for ages 13+ need F963 testing?
They may be within F963's scope (under 14), but CPSC's third-party testing and CPC requirements apply only to products designed primarily for children 12 and under.
Do I need to test flammability under F963?
Section 4.2 isn't part of the mandatory standard and doesn't need third-party testing or a CPC citation. Toys containing a flammable solid are still banned.
How do I list F963 on a CPC?
Write “16 CFR part 1250 – Children's toys” followed by the applicable ASTM F963 sections, plus related rules like 16 CFR 1303 or 1501.
Next step
Need a CPC or a lab report?
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Sources
Official sources we checked
Checked October 2026. Rules and marketplace policies change; confirm on the source before you act.