On 18 January 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct final rule in the Federal Register approving the revised ASTM F963-23 as a mandatory toy safety standard.

The direct final rule incorporates ASTM F963-23 by reference and updates an existing Notice of Requirements (NOR) that provides the Commission's (CPSC) criteria and process for accepting accreditation of third-party conformity assessment bodies to test toys in accordance with ASTM F963-23.

The new rule will become effective on 20 April 2024 unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comments by 20 February 2024.

Major updates to ASTM F963-23 version:

Impact and recommendations:

Toys manufactured on or after 20 April 2024 will require ASTM F963-23 testing at a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory in order to be certified.

eqo recommends that stakeholders pay attention to the revised provisions of the regulation, do a good job of interpreting and responding to the new standard, and design, manufacture, and sell toys in strict accordance with the provisions of the new standard in order to comply with the requirements of the new standard for the control of toy products.