Toy safety for beginners HKUST 3-13

1
Toy Safety
for Beginners
Ir. Dr. Vincent Tam
DBA, 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 Aesthetics
Learning
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 Design
Consult Others
Start
End

15
Age Grade Determination
Age Grade
of Toy
Standards
& Guidelines
Human
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

18
Toy Testing

19
Safety Test
 Small Part Gauge
57.1
25.4
31.7

20
Safety Test
 Sharp Point Tester

21
Safety Test
 Sharp Edge Tester

22
Safety Test
 Bite Test

23
Safety Test
 Tension Test  Torque Test

24
Safety Test
 Compression Test  Drop Test

25
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

32
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

33
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

36
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

42
Designers’ Checklist
 Which markets do you want to promote /
sell your toy?

43
 What are the applicable safety standards in
these markets?

44
 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.

48
 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.

50
 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.

54
 For toys that make sounds: If a toy is too
loud for you, it is too loud for a child.

55
 Toy should be strong and sturdy: Eyes,
buttons, parts, pieces, etc. cannot be pulled
off by a small child.

56
 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.

57
 Clothing and stuffed toys: These should be
flame-resistant.

58
 Use washable and clean materials for dolls
and stuffed toys.

59
 Toy gun should be brightly colored, so that it
will not be mistaken for a real gun.

60
 Stability of sitting toys: They should be
broad-based for stability.

61
 Toy must be made from non-toxic materials.

62
 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 Design
Consult Others
Start
End
Safety is number ONE priority !
To design safe toy:

64
Questions ?

65Ir. Dr. Vincent Tam March 9, 2013

Toy safety for beginners HKUST 3-13

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