On June 11, 2020, Australia registered instruments that update the
mandatory safety standards for two specific toy groups – projectile toys and
aquatic toys.
They are:
- Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3, 2020
- Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3,
2020
The standard for projectile toys mandates compliance with specific
clauses in one of four current standards:
- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 ‘Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties’
- ASTM F963-17 ‘Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety’
- EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties’
- ISO 8124-1:2018 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related
to mechanical and physical properties’
It also requires a warning statement to be added to the toy’s
instructions and packaging, when the product can launch a projectile over 300
mm. The statement is:
“WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face”
The instrument for aquatic toys mandates compliance with warning
format requirements in either of these standards:
- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 ‘Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties’
- ISO 8124-1:2018 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related
to mechanical and physical properties’
Both instruments came into effect the day after they were
registered – June 12, 2020. They do not, however, have the same date from which
all toys in the category must comply with these safety standards. Until the
following dates, manufacturers can choose either to comply with the existing safety
standards or the new instruments:
- Projectile toys – June 12, 2021
- Aquatic toys – June 12, 2022
Children’s toys are regulated by several mandatory safety
standards in Australia. These standards address physical and mechanical
properties, chemical properties and/or labeling requirements. They currently
include:
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 14 of 2003, as amended by Consumer Protection No. 1 of 2005 ‘Toys for children up to and including 36 months of age’
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 1 of 2009 ‘Lead and certain elements’ (this standard includes finger paints)
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 2 of 2009 ‘Flotation and aquatic toys’ (to be replaced by Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3, 2020)
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010 ‘Toys containing magnets’
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 16 of 2010 ‘Projectile toys’ (to be replaced by Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020 dated June 3, 2020)
SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with
relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They
provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit, and
inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations
worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being
brought to the market. Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services.
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Updates Mandatory Safety Standards for Certain Toys SafeGuardS.
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