Toy Testing

What items are exempt from lead testing?

A few items which do not need compliance with the lead limits and are listed on the CPSC website include, but are not limited to the following:

Wood, natural materials, yarn (dyed/undyed), children’s books printed after 1985, certain educational materials (Chemistry Sets), printed items using the traditional print process – CMYK

These are just a few exemptions, for a complete list, please visit the CPSC website.

What are Phthalates?

Phthalates are a group of plasticizers used in products to give them their soft and flexible texture. They are produced from oils and used in products such as plastics, solvents, and personal care products. Phthalates cannot be detected by appearance, they are colorless and odorless.

What phthalates are currently banned?

Three phthalate compounds are permanently banned, which includes DEHP, DBP, and BBP. These three phthalates have been banned in concentrations of more than 0.1%, which applies to "children’s toys" and "child care articles."

Three other phthalate compounds are banned, pending further review by the Commission. These phthalates include DINP, DIDP, and DnOP in concentrations of more than 0.1%. This ban applies to "child care articles" and toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth to be sucked or chewed on.

California Proposition 65 has added an additional phthalate compound to their list of over 850 compounds, which is DNHP. This becomes a labeling issue if phthalate DNHP is present in your product, then you must place a warning label informing consumers.

What do I do if my item is found noncompliant with one of the current requirements?

Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers are required to report to the CPSC under Section 15(B) of the Consumer Product Safety Act within 24 hours of obtaining information which reasonably supports the conclusion that a product does not comply with a safety rule issued under CPSAI. Please click on the link to access the web form to report noncompliant items: www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/sec15.aspx

What is a COC?

A COC is a Certificate of Conformity, which shows that your products have been tested by an accredited third party lab and are compliant with current CPSIA requirements. Most retailers require a COC. For a sample COC, please click on the link: COC Sample

How often should I retest my products for compliance with CPSC requirements?

The CPSC recommends, at a minimum, annual retesting and certification of products. The determination of frequency of testing is based on how many batches/lots you produce a year. The amount of samples that need to be tested is based on batch or lot size. The CPSC provides procedures and calculations for random sampling and testing frequency.

What is the process for testing with ATS?

Upon your request for quote, our staff will put together a quote for you, which will include the sample sizes that need to be submitted for testing. Once you submit samples to our lab, we will provide a quotation as well as what the turnaround time will be for your project. Our typical turnaround time to complete testing is 5-7 business days. Upon completion of testing, we will send you a test report and provide you with guidance to complete the COC.

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