MadeSafe™ provides you a glimpse into toy testing, to show how the Toy Industry strives to produce the safest toys possible. Toy testing is conducted by accredited Toy Safety Test Labs. Production standard toys are submitted for safety testing, no less than once per year. Review some of the safety test procedures and toy test equipment used then watch the CPSC video below.

Small Parts (Hazardous to children UNDER 3)

Toys are first subjected to “use and abuse” tests that pull, twist and drop them. Any small parts that may result OR may be present originally, are put into the test cylinder (shown). The part is dropped in the cylinder, without pushing it in. If the part is wholly contained in the cylinder, it is classified as a small part. You should buy your own small part cylinder, to test for small parts, from either source. Made Safe™ has no affiliation with this company.
       Perfectly Safe Catalog

There are other specialized tests for squeeze toys and bottle nipples that require different testing fixtures (not shown). Neither fabrics or paper are tested as small parts, per CPSC guidelines.

LEAD:
One of Nine Toxic Elements Tested

A sophisticated system is used to evaluate all heavy metals and toxic elements in paint, including lead. These are measured and compared to governmental standards. Previously, under the outdated regulations, the paint would have to be scraped off the toy and then measured for lead
content. Under the new toy safety regulations, the paint is scanned directly. It doesn’t matter if it comes off or not. It is now possible for factories to have a continuous sampling of paint, before it goes into production. This practice, which Made Safe recommends, insures that paint conforms to regulations, before it is used to make toys.

Lead Paint Test Kits for the Home

Several companies now produce easy to use lead paint test kits for in-home testing. A lead paint test kit can check ANY surface for toxic lead like toys, walls, furniture and more. This is especially useful if your home has old painted walls, toys or furniture that your child may be in contact with.

Sharp Edges & Points

Toys are first subjected to “use and abuse” tests that pull, twist and drop them. Then the toy and any “broken” parts are tested by instruments that measure points and edges, to make sure that no hazards are present. The type of “use and abuse” testing is determined by the age rating of the toy.

< Left photo-
testing the points of a toy hairbrush.

> Right photo shows testing of a molded edge.

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Sound Levels

Toys that produce sounds mechanically or electronically, must conform to the allowable levels.
The photo shows a toy’s sound being measured by the instrument. Toys that produce sound louder than the acceptable limits, are failed.

Testing requires that the toy produce sounds that are within acceptable limits (measured in decibels), at a prescribed distance.

< The toy shown is producing sound of 78 decibels.

Tension Test

To simulate a child pulling on a toy, technicians use a 15 pound (25 lbs. for Europe) PULL test. This can be performed on any part of the toy, but is especially important with any attachments (like buttons, eyes, plastic parts etc.). If these attachments come off they would be subjected to small part testing as well as other tests.

> The photo right shows the seams being tested. If a seam opened, the inside polyester would come out and likely cause a test failure.

Flammability Test

Different materials like fabrics and plastics, must burn slower than their allowable burn rate. This rate is measured in inches/second. If a material burns too fast, it will fail. Plastics are also tested for flammability.

There are many, many other tests administered by the safety labs, which are not shown here. We trust this has been informative and recommend that you buy an inexpensive Small Part Test Cylinder.

All photos courtesy of KS Toys Ltd.

ToyTesting Laboratories

CTL ConsumerTesting Labs –   BV Bureau Veritas -   Intertek

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Tour The CPSC Product Testing Lab- Video

From: US Consumer Product Safety Commission   | Jan 14, 2012  |
For a recall to happen, a product needs to be found to be unsafe. But exactly what does that mean? Here’s an inside view. Meet the scientists. See some of the tests. Think about these tests when you buy and use consumer products.

 

 

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