How can I ensure that silicone toys meet the physical hazard standards?
Silicone Toy Physical Hazard Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to verify compliance with global physical safety standards (ASTM F963, EN 71-1, GB 6675) and eliminate choking, laceration, and breakage risks—critical for infant and mouthable silicone toys.
1. Design Review: Hazard Elimination
Choking & Small Parts Risk
No parts fit through the small parts test cylinder (31.75mm × 50.8mm) for toys<36 months
Test Method: Small parts cylinder (ASTM F963/EN 71-1) | Pass Criteria: No part (including broken pieces) passes through
Mouthable toys (teethers, pacifiers) use one-piece construction (no detachable parts)
Pass Criteria: No nipples, beads, or decorations that can be pulled off
No hollow cavities >5mm that could trap small objects or allow access to internal parts
Test Method: Visual inspection + probe test | Pass Criteria: Cavities sealed or<5mm
Sharp Edges & Points
All edges are rounded (radius ≥0.5mm for toys<3 years)
Test Method: ASTM F963 edge tester / EN 71-1 edge gauge | Pass Criteria: No tape cut by edges
No sharp points (tested with EN 71-1 point tester)
Test Method: EN 71-1 point tester | Pass Criteria: No points penetrate the gauge’s aperture
Durability & Breakage Resistance
Silicone hardness is Shore A 30–60 (soft enough for chewing, rigid enough to avoid tearing)
Test Method: Durometer (Shore A) | Pass Criteria: 30–60 Shore A
Thin sections (e.g., handles) are ≥2mm thick to prevent tearing
Test Method: Calipers | Pass Criteria: No sections < 2mm
2. Laboratory Testing: Compliance Validation
Small parts test passed (no parts through the cylinder)
Test Method: Small parts cylinder (ASTM F963/EN 71-1) | Standard: CPSIA/ASTM F963/EN 71-1
Sharp edge/point test passed (no tape cuts, no point penetration)
Test Method: Edge tester + point tester | Standard: ASTM F963/EN 71-1/GB 6675
Tensile strength ≥1.5 MPa (for mouthable silicone toys)
Test Method: Tensile testing machine | Standard: ASTM F2907 (pacifiers)/EN 71-1
Torque/tension test passed (90N pull force for 10s, no detachment/breakage)
Test Method: Torque/tension tester | Standard: EN 71-1/GB 6675
Chewing durability test passed (1000 cycles, no cracking/tearing)
Test Method: Chewing simulator | Standard: ASTM F2907/EN 14350-2
Flammability test passed (no rapid combustion, flame spread ≤100mm in 10s)
Test Method: ASTM F963 flammability tester | Standard: ASTM F963/EN 71-2
3. Production & Labeling: Maintain Compliance
In-process inspections (1–2% sampling) for sharp edges/small parts
Action: Reject batches with non-compliant parts
Mold consistency verified (no flash, burrs, or misaligned parts)
Action: Maintain mold maintenance logs
Age grading clearly marked (e.g., “0–36 months” or “3+ years”)
Standard: CPSIA/EN 71-1/GB 6675
Certification marks included (CE, CPC, CCC) for target markets
Action: Retain accredited lab test reports for 5+ years
4. Global Physical Hazard Standards Reference
| Region | Standard | Key Physical Tests | Certification Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | ASTM F963-21 + CPSIA | Small parts, sharp edges/points, tensile strength, flammability | CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) |
| EU | EN 71-1 + Toy Safety Directive | Choking hazard, sharp edges/points, torque/tension, breakage | CE Marking |
| China | GB 6675.1-2014 | Small parts, sharp edges, impact resistance, pull force | CCC Certification |
| Global | ISO 8124-1 | Aligns with EN 71-1/ASTM F963 | ISO Certification (optional, for international markets) |
Mark as Compliant (Pass All Checks)
Mark as Non-Compliant (Fail Any Check)
