Safety Certificate of Plush Toy
We make safety our top priority!
At Plushies4u, the safety of every plush toy we create is our highest priority. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every toy meets the most rigorous safety standards. Our approach is centered on a "Children Toy Safety First" philosophy, supported by a comprehensive and meticulous quality control process.
From the initial design phase to the final production stage, we take every measure to ensure that our toys are not only enjoyable but also safe for children of all ages. During the manufacturing process, we work with accredited laboratories to independently test children's toys for safety as required by the regions where the toys are distributed.
By adhering to the strictest safety protocols and continually improving our processes, we strive to provide peace of mind to parents and joy to children around the world.
Applicable Safety Standards
ASTM
Voluntary consensus standards for various products and services. ASTM F963 specifically addresses toy safety, including mechanical, chemical, and flammability requirements.
CPC
Certificate required for all children's products in the US, confirming compliance with safety rules based on CPSC-accepted laboratory testing.
CPSIA
US law imposes safety requirements for children's products, including limits on lead and phthalates, mandatory third-party testing, and certification.
EN71
European standards for toy safety, covering mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical properties, and labeling.
CE
Indicates product compliance with EEA safety, health, and environmental standards, mandatory for sale in the EEA.
UKCA
UK product marking for goods sold in Great Britain, replacing the CE marking post-Brexit.
What is the ASTM Standard?
The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard is a set of guidelines developed by ASTM International, a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of voluntary consensus standards. These standards ensure the quality, safety, and performance of products and materials. ASTM F963, specifically, is a comprehensive toy safety standard that addresses various potential hazards associated with toys, ensuring they are safe for children to use.
ASTM F963, the standard for toy safety, has been revised. The current version, ASTM F963-23: Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, revises and supersedes the 2017 edition.
ASTM F963-23
American Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
Test Methods for Toy Safety
The ASTM F963-23 standard outlines various test methods to ensure toy safety for children under 14 years of age. Given the diversity in toy components and their uses, the standard addresses a wide range of materials and safety requirements. These methods are designed to identify potential hazards and ensure toys meet stringent safety standards.
ASTM F963-23 includes tests to ensure that toys do not contain harmful levels of heavy metals and other restricted substances. This covers elements like lead, cadmium, and phthalates, ensuring that the materials used are safe for children.
The standard specifies rigorous testing for sharp points, small parts, and removable components to prevent injuries and choking hazards. Toys undergo impact tests, drop tests, tensile tests, compression tests, and flexure tests to ensure durability and safety during play.
For toys containing electrical components or batteries, ASTM F963-23 specifies safety requirements to prevent electrical hazards. This includes ensuring that electrical parts are properly insulated and that battery compartments are secure and inaccessible to children without tools.
Section 4.6 of ASTM F963-23 covers requirements for small objects, stating that "these requirements are intended to minimize the hazards from choking, ingestion, or inhalation to children under 36 months of age created by small objects." This affects components like beads, buttons, and plastic eyes on plush toys.
ASTM F963-23 mandates that toys must not be excessively flammable. Toys are tested to ensure that their rate of flame spread is below the specified limit, reducing the risk of fire-related injuries. This ensures that in the event of exposure to a flame, the toy will not burn rapidly and pose a danger to children.
European Toy Safety Testing Standards
Plushies4u ensures that all our toys comply with the European Toy Safety Standards, specifically the EN71 series. These standards are designed to guarantee the highest level of safety for toys sold within the European Union, ensuring that they are safe for children of all ages.
EN 71-1: Mechanical and Physical Properties
This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for the mechanical and physical properties of toys. It covers aspects such as shape, size, and strength, ensuring toys are safe and durable for children from newborns to 14 years old.
EN 71-2: Flammability
EN 71-2 sets requirements for the flammability of toys. It specifies the types of flammable materials prohibited in all toys and details the combustion performance of certain toys when exposed to small flames.
EN 71-3: Migration of Certain Elements
This standard limits the amount of specific hazardous elements, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, that can migrate from toys and toy materials. It ensures that the materials used in our toys do not pose a health risk to children.
EN 71-4: Experimental Sets for Chemistry
EN 71-4 outlines the safety requirements for chemistry sets and similar toys that allow children to perform chemical experiments.
EN 71-5: Chemical Toys (excluding chemistry sets)
This part specifies safety requirements for other chemical toys that are not covered by EN 71-4. It includes items such as model sets and plastic moulding kits.
EN 71-6: Warning Labels
EN 71-6 specifies the requirements for age warning labels on toys. It ensures that age recommendations are clearly visible and understandable to prevent misuse.
EN 71-7: Finger Paints
This standard outlines the safety requirements and test methods for finger paints, ensuring they are non-toxic and safe for children to use.
EN 71-8: Activity Toys for Domestic Use
EN 71-8 sets safety requirements for swings, slides, and similar activity toys intended for indoor or outdoor domestic use. It focuses on mechanical and physical aspects to ensure they are safe and stable.
EN 71-9 to EN 71-11: Organic Chemical Compounds
These standards cover the limits, sample preparation, and analysis methods for organic compounds in toys. EN 71-9 sets limits on certain organic chemicals, while EN 71-10 and EN 71-11 focus on the preparation and analysis of these compounds.
EN 1122: Cadmium Content in Plastics
This standard sets the maximum permissible levels of cadmium in plastic materials, ensuring that toys are free from harmful levels of this heavy metal.
We prepare for the best, but we also prepare for the worst.
While Custom Plush Toys has never experienced a serious product or safety issue, like any responsible manufacturer, we plan for the unexpected. We then work very hard to make our toys as safe as possible so that we don't have to activate those plans.
RETURNS AND EXCHANGES: We are the manufacturer and the responsibility is ours. If an individual toy is found to be defective, we will offer a credit or refund, or a free replacement directly to our customer, end consumer or retailer.
PRODUCT RECALL PROGRAM: If the unthinkable happens and one of our toys poses a risk to our customers, we will take immediate steps with the appropriate authorities to implement our product recall program. We never trade dollars for happiness or health.
Note: If you plan to sell your items through most major retailers (including Amazon), third-party testing documentation is required, even if not required by law.
I hope this page has been helpful to you and invite you to contact me with any additional questions and/or concerns.