Attention! Australia has issued a new version of mandatory safety standards for children's toys

On September 5, 2023, the Australian government issued a new version of the mandatory safety standard for children's toys, Safety Standard for Consumer Goods (Children's Toys under 36 months) in 2023. The new standard stipulates the design and construction requirements of children's toys under 36 months, and suppliers must transition to the requirements of the new mandatory standard before March 4, 2025.

This safety standard stipulates the requirements of Australian voluntary standards and similar overseas standards, aiming at minimizing the risk of suffocation or suffocation of children by toy parts, thus preventing serious injury or death. In addition, the standard also puts forward new requirements for toy battery compartments. Toy battery compartments containing any type of batteries (coin/button cell or non-coin/button cell) can only be opened with tools.

Specific requirements of the new standard

1. Scope of application

Suitable for children under 36 months as toys for manufacturing, designing, labeling and selling products.

2. Main requirements

According to the requirements of this mandatory standard, suppliers are allowed to meet any of the following toy standards.

Australian standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023 toy safety-part 1: safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.

◆ International (ISO) standard ISO 8124-1:2022 Toy safety-Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.

◆ European (EN) standard EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018: Toy safety-Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties

◆ American (ASTM) Standard ASTM F963-17 Toy Safety Standard Consumer Safety Specification

In addition, electric toys must comply with the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 62115:2018 Electric Toys-Safety Modification Requirements. The purpose is to ensure that children of this age can't open the battery box or take out the battery without using tools. All other requirements of button cell safety standards, including those related to battery compartment firmware, still apply to all children's toys aged 36 months and under.

transition period

1. The new standard will provide an 18-month transition period so that suppliers can adapt to the new requirements.

During the transition period (before March 5, 2025), suppliers can choose products that meet any of the following regulations:

Consumer Protection Notice No.14 of 2003 No.14 of 2003

Consumer Goods (Toys for Children Up to and Including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023

2. From March 5th, 2025, suppliers must only comply with Consumer Goods (Toys for Children Up to and Including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023.

Warm tips

The safety standards of toys are becoming stricter. ZRLK suggests that relevant toy manufacturers and exporters should pay close attention to the trends of Australian toy safety regulations and related standards, adjust production technology in time, strictly control the quality of toy products, ensure that toy products meet the requirements of relevant standards and avoid export trade risks. Our company has rich experience in product testing, which can help you easily understand whether the product is safe and compliant. If you need it, please feel free to contact us, and our engineers will serve you at the first time!