Understanding Toy Safety Certifications: EN 71 vs ASTM F963

Every toy sold internationally must comply with safety standards. The two most important are EN 71 (European) and ASTM F963 (American). EN 71 — European Toy Safety Standard EN 71 consists of 13 parts covering mechanical/physical properties, flammability, migration of chemical elements, and more. Part 1 covers sharp edges, small parts, and choking hazards. Part 2 addresses flammability. Part 3 tests for heavy metals and harmful chemicals. ASTM F963 — US Toy Safety Standard ASTM F963 covers similar areas but with US-specific requirements. It addresses material quality, flammability, toxicology, electrical safety, and mechanical hazards. Key Differences - Chemical testing: EN 71-3 tests for 19 elements; ASTM F963 references CPSIA lead and phthalate limits - Age grading: Different approaches to age classification - Flammability: Different test methods and pass/fail criteria Our Approach At Tong Shing Precision, we design our production processes to meet BOTH standards simultaneously, ensuring your products can ship worldwide without additional modification.