Toy safety for beginners HKUST 3-13

1

Toy Safety

for Beginners

Ir. Dr. Vincent TamDBA, MBA, MAS, MSc, BSc

MHKIE

2

Introduction

Ref: EU Directive 2009/48/EC

Products designed or intended, whether or

not exclusively, for use in play by children

under 14 years of age.

Toy

Ir. Dr. Vincent Tam March 9, 2013

3

Introduction

The condition of being protected from or

unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.

Ref: Oxford Dictionary

Safety

4

Introduction

One who is just starting to learn or do

something.

A person who is inexperienced.

Ref: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/beginner

Ref: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beginner

Beginner


5

Introduction

Toys are vital tools that help

foster the mental, physical,

emotional & social development

of boys and girls.

Toys are basic instruments for

the development of children’s

fantasy, thoughts & creativity.


6

Introduction

Toys enrich family life by fostering fun,

amusement and communication between all

family members, regardless of ages.


7

Toy

Creative Play Value AestheticsLearning

Safe


8

Consequences of Unsafe Toy

Death / Injury Criminal Lawsuit

Consumer Lawsuit Litigation Cost


9


Civil Penalty

Recall / Withdrawal

Loss of Sales Brand Image Damage


10


Hong Kong

The maximum penalty for the offence is a

fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one

year on first conviction, and a fine of

$500,000 & imprisonment for two years on

subsequent conviction.


11


Mattel 2007 recall of lead-containing toys:

Consumer lawsuit – US$ 50 million

Civil penalty – US$ 2.3 million

Recall expenses

Communication campaign

Other expenses


12

Toy Related Deaths - US

0

5

10

15

20

25

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Toy related deaths Source: CPSC


13

Toy Related Injuries - US

Toy related injuries

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Source: CPSC


14

Designing Safe Toy


Concept Design

Decide on Target Markets

Age Grading Determination

Study Relevant Safety Standards

Review Recall Information

Detailed DesignConsult Others

Start

End

15

Age Grade Determination

Age Grade

of Toy

Standards

& GuidelinesHuman

Factors

Similar

Toys

Knowledge

of Child

Development

Child

Development

References

Parental

Input

Features

of Toy

Observation

of Children


16

Major Toy Safety Standards

Country Major Toy Safey Standards

International Standard ISO 8124

Toy Safety Directive

EN71

16CFR

CPSIA

ASTM F963

China GB6675 (ISO 8124)

Hong Kong ASTM F963, EN or ISO 8124

European Union

United States


17

Toy Safety Standard

General Safety Duty / Obligation by Law:

The safety of toys should be determined by

reference to the intended use, while taking

into account the foreseeable use,

and bearing in mind the behaviour

of children, who do not generally

show the same degree of care as

the average adult user. Ref: EU Directive 2009/48/EC


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Toy Testing


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Safety Test

Small Part Gauge

57.1

25.4

31.7


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Safety Test

Sharp Point Tester


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Safety Test

Sharp Edge Tester


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Safety Test

Bite Test


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Safety Test

Tension Test Torque Test


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Safety Test

Compression Test Drop Test


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Safety Test

Flammability Test


26

Safety Test

Heavy Metals Test


27

Safety Test

Phthalates Test


28

Toy Testing


29

Toy Recall

The marble-sized toy can

expand inside the body and

block the intestine. If these

toys are swallowed, it can be

life-threatening.

Source: CPSC


30

Toy Recall

The fingers and toes of the dolls can detach,

posing a choking hazard to young children.

Source: CPSC


31

Toy Recall

The magnets can

attract each other

and cause intestinal

perforation or

blockage.

Source: RAPEX


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Toy Recall

The plastic fairy

figures protrude from

the top of the handle

bar posing a laceration

hazard if a child falls

on them.Source: CPSC


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Toy Recall

The blade locking mechanism can fail, allowing

the blade to fold inward toward the handle,

posing a laceration hazard.

Source: CPSC


34

Toy Recall

The hair on the doll may

contain loops that are large

enough to fit around a

child’s head and neck.

These loops can pose a

strangulation hazard.

Source: CPSC


35

Toy Recall

Strangulation, due to the

presence of a fixed noose

(cord securing the hood)

which is too long.

Source: RAPEX


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Toy Recall

The plush frog masks lack proper ventilation.

When secured in place across a child's face, it

presents a suffocation hazard to the child.

Source: CPSC


37

Toy Recall

The recalled toy can

unexpectedly tip

over during play,

posing an entrapment

hazard to young

children.Source: CPSC


38

Toy Recall

The riding toy can tip over allowing a child to fall

forward while riding, posing a fall hazard to

young children.

Source: CPSC


39

Toy Recall

The rechargeable battery

contained inside the

helicopter can catch fire,

igniting the helicopter

and nearby combustible

materials.

Source: CPSC


40

Toy Recall

The surface paints

on the action figures

contain excessive

levels of lead.

Source: CPSC


41

Toy Recall

The product poses a

chemical risk because

the head of the doll

contains 23 % by

weight of bis (2-

ethylhexyl) phthalate

(DEHP). Source: RAPEX


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Designers’ Checklist

Which markets do you want to promote /

sell your toy?


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What are the applicable safety standards in

these markets?


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What is the age appropriateness for your

toy?


45


Have you age labeled your toy? Have you

provide clear and precise safety instruction

& well labeled the hazards?


46


If toy is suitable for age 3 and under, make

sure there is no small part.


47


If toy is suitable for age 3 and under, ball

(round object) if present must be bigger

than 44.4 mm diameter.


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Toy should present no sharp edges or points.

Run your fingers over metal or plastic pieces

to see if they cut or scratch.


49


Make sure there are no points or propelling

objects that could cause eye or puncture

injuries.


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On wood toy, round off edges and make sure

there is no splinter.


51


Folding toy or toy with hinges must be

designed so that they will not trap little

fingers.


52


Moving parts should be designed in such a

way as to prevent pinching or crushing

fingers.


53


Ropes or strings on toy should be no longer

than 12 inches and loops should not be big

enough to fit around a child's neck.


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For toys that make sounds: If a toy is too

loud for you, it is too loud for a child.


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Toy should be strong and sturdy: Eyes,

buttons, parts, pieces, etc. cannot be pulled

off by a small child.


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Toy should be strong and sturdy: Toy will

not shatter if it is dropped or thrown onto

a hard surface from a child's height.


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Clothing and stuffed toys: These should be

flame-resistant.


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Use washable and clean materials for dolls

and stuffed toys.


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Toy gun should be brightly colored, so that it

will not be mistaken for a real gun.


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Stability of sitting toys: They should be

broad-based for stability.


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Toy must be made from non-toxic materials.


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Electrical toys: No more than 24 volts and

properly insulated.


63

Summary


Concept Design

Decide on Target Markets

Age Grading Determination

Study Relevant Safety Standards

Review Recall Information

Detailed DesignConsult Others

Start

End

Safety is number ONE priority !

To design safe toy:

64

Questions ?


65Ir. Dr. Vincent Tam March 9, 2013

Business

Toy safety for beginners HKUST 3-13