Specific restrictions on the presence of phthalates – ingredients that make some plastics soft and pliable – in toys and childcare articles are regulated under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Injuries have been associated with water beads, especially for very young children who have ingested water beads from products intended for older children. Safety standards for expanding material products already exist and continue to be evaluated to determine appropriate requirements specific to water beads.
Evidence shows that X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology may be reliably used as an acceptable screening mechanism, in the hands of a well-trained operator, for detecting the potential presence of certain substances in toys – as long as prescribed test methods are followed and the appropriate standard reference materials are used. A “positive” XRF result merely indicates that further comprehensive testing must be done by a government-accredited lab to confirm the presence of the substance.
Because its products are intended specifically for children, the toy industry holds itself to a particularly high standard of safety. All toys sold in the United States, no matter where they are produced, must conform to rigorous safety standards and laws.
Strict federal toy safety standards prohibit the use of certain powerful magnets (usually rare earth magnets) in any toy part that is small enough to be swallowed and intended for children under 14 years old.
The Toy Association and its members are proud of the important, life-shaping role that toys, games, and play have in the development and growth of children. Play is an integral component of an educational, happy, healthy, and well-rounded childhood.
No toys intended for children and sold in the United States have been found to be dangerous based on their sound level. Toys sold in this country are required to comply with standards that include limits on sound level output.
U.S. toy safety standards are among the toughest in the world and U.S. toymakers are committed to ensuring the safety of the toys they produce. It is equally important that parents and caregivers take an active role in ensuring safe and fun play.
The Toy Association encourages shoppers to spend a few minutes digging into a lesser-known online seller’s background, by searching for the company’s official website and About Us page and carefully reading reviews.
Working alongside medical experts and government officials, The Toy Association helped establish the first federal standards for lead in children’s products more than 40 years ago.
The Toy Association and its members are proud of the important, life-shaping role that toys, games, and play have in the development and growth of children. With the rise in childhood obesity rates sparking public health concerns, parents are rallying alongside medical professionals to encourage more active play – that which stimulates the body by encouraging kids to run, jump, and stretch.
The federally-mandated small parts regulation has been in place in the United States for more than four decades. It was established using research and expertise from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), child development and human factors experts, and members of the toy industry.
The Toy Association and its members are proud of the important, life-shaping role that toys, games, and play have in the development and growth of young minds and bodies.
The Toy Association assures parents and caregivers that any Bisphenol-A (BPA) found in toys is safe, given its limited scope of use, minuscule amounts present, and limited risk of exposure in toy and game products.
Toys* sold in the United States are prohibited from containing heavy metals or any other substances that can result in harmful exposure to children. By law, toy companies must ensure that their products comply with all relevant standards, regulations, and tests – including applicable heavy metal limits – before they can be sold in this country.
All toys sold in the U.S. must comply with over 100 different safety standards and tests designed to protect children at play, including the Child Safety Protection Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Among other protections, these regulations make it illegal to sell toys or children’s products containing substances harmful to children and to which they might be exposed.
Safety is the toy industry’s top priority. All toys sold in the United States must conform to stringent federal safety standards and laws such as the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Not only do these toy safety standards contain tough flammability requirements, they also restrict the use of substances known to be harmful to children and to which children might be exposed.
Batteries – especially small button- and coin-size batteries – can pose a serious health hazard if swallowed. If they lodge in the esophagus or GI tract, the results can be life-threatening and immediate medical intervention is needed.
The Toy Association recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI), internet-connected products, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and services are becoming increasingly common in all types of household products, including those offered by toy companies. Our focus on safety extends to online safety as well.
Consumers have every reason to trust the safety of the three billion toys sold in America each year. All toys sold in the U.S., regardless of where they are made, must comply with strict U.S. standards. It is the responsibility of the companies selling products in this country to make sure that those toys are safe. Regular testing and certification by government-approved, independent laboratories provides an additional verification of a company’s compliance with our country’s strict federal regulations.