IS 9873: Part 1: 2019 Safety of Toys

IS 9873: Part 1: 2019 specifies the mechanical and physical safety requirements for toys, replacing IS 9873 Part 1-2004. It prevents injuries and health hazards by prescribing general safety requirements and testing methods. This standard is critical for ensuring toy safety for children. Manufacturers have to strictly adhere to these requirements for safety, legal compliance, and accepting market requirements. If such stipulations are followed strictly and adequate testing is done, manufacturers can ensure the safety, reliability, and trustworthiness of their toys.

Standards apply to all toys intended for play by children under 14 years of age. They are therefore the most diversified, including playing, education, and toys that are a combination of both.

Key Terminology of IS 987: Part 1: 2019

Some of the important terms used in IS 9873: Part 1: 2019 include the following:

• Choking Hazard: Parts of a toy that can be ingested or inhaled by children, which then leads to a possibility of choking.
• Sharp Edges and Points: Any sharp edges or points in toys that may cut or puncture a child's skin.
• Flammability: Flammable material is said to be that which easily catches fire.
• Toxic Substances: The chemicals are toxic for example lead or phthalates among others, which when ingested or absorbed tend to be toxic.
• Drop Test: It is a test formed in a bid to determine how a particular toy withstands impacts by dropping from a specified height and falling on a hard surface.
• Compression Test: This test is meant to check the structural integrity of a toy under compressive forces by applying pressure upon it to see if it breaks or deforms.
• Tension Test: The test determines the amount of resistance a toy gives against some pulling force applied to ensure parts do not come off easily and pose dangers for children if inserted into their mouths.
• Labeling: Information presented on the pack of the toy, including recommendations of age and instructions on safety
• Certification M0arkings: Some labels or marks indicating that the toy meets the accepted safety standard
• Periodic Monitoring: Periodic checks to ensure continued compliance with the safety standard.
• Non-Conformity: Failure to meet the minimum safety standards, thus facing penalties or recalls.
• Extended User Responsibility (EUR): It is the process in which bulk users ensure effective treatment and reuse of the water.
• Small Parts Test: Make sure that no small parts are present in toys that can be swallowed or inhaled by the child.
• Chemical Analysis: It checks on chemicals in toys and confirms if they are nontoxic for children.
• Flammability Test: The assessable flammability of the toy materials so they do not start burning easily.

IS 9873: Part 1: 2019 satisfies the requirements in terms of the following criteria:

• Safety of the Children: The product shall be harmless for children and shall not contain toxic materials that may cause injury or health hazards because of poisonous toys.
• Legal Compliance: This becomes a legal requirement for selling toys in India as non-compliance leads to penalties and litigation.
• Market Acceptance: It affects market acceptability with compliance enhancing the credibility of the toys, thereby promoting consumer confidence and trust in the safety and quality of the product.

Key Requirements of IS 9873: Part 1: 2019

• General Requirements: General Toys must be constructed and manufactured in such a way that they do not create the potential for injury to children, and all materials used in toys must not contain poisonous substances or risky elements.
• Mechanical Properties: Toys shall resist the mechanical stress to which they are subjected during normal use without cracking or posing risks; tests include drop tests, compression tests, and tension tests to test their durability and safety.
• Physical Properties: Toys shall not have sharp edges or points, thus a child cannot get injured by them and small parts that can be swallowed or inhaled are proscribed.
• Flammability: The toys must be made of non-flammable material; the flammability test is carried out on the material of the toy.
• Chemical Properties: The toys should be free from any harmful chemicals, including lead, phthalates, and any danger-causing materials that are present inside the toys, and periodical tests are conducted on the items for the chemical standards for safety.
• Labelling and Instructions: Toys must bear labels clear and correctly written to point out the ideal age group concerned and some safety precautionary instructions, operating instructions along warnings.

All these tests guarantee that the toys meet IS 9873: Part 1: 2019 requirements. The dropped test estimates the safety of the toy by simulating real-life conditions.

• Drop Test: This test ensures that the impact resistance of the toy. The toy is dropped from a defined height to a hard surface where the materials are checked for breakage or hazardous conditions.
• Compression Test: This test tests the compressive strengths of a toy by squeezing it with a specified amount of pressure to ensure that the toy does not collapse or break.
• Tension Test: This test measures the resistance of the toy to pulling forces by pulling parts of the toy with a specified force to ensure they do not detach and give a choking hazard.
• Sharp Edge and Point Test: Toys must pass through the sharp edge and point test that checks all such edges and points that can cause injury. All such pointed instruments are identified and mitigated, so that the toys do not cause any injury to the children.
• Small part Tests: Test on Small Parts Small parts tests check whether the toys contain small parts, which can be swallowed or inhaled by the child. All such small parts are identified and removed if necessary.
• Test for Flammability: The materials used in the toy are tested for flammability to ensure that they do not ignite fire easily. That is, toys are not a fire hazard.
• Chemical Analysis: Toys are checked for harmful chemicals, and chemical analysis ensures that toys have no harmful toxins that can poison children.

The manufacturers themselves hold a tremendous duty to abide by IS 9873: Part 1: 2019. They shall:

Design and Development

Create safe toys, which are according to the standard. This includes the selection of appropriate materials as well as including safety aspects in the design.

Testing and Quality Control

Toys shall be tested at all times so that they comply with safety criteria. Using quality control measures that are higher to detect and eliminate any kind of safety issues.

Labelling and Instructions

Accurate and clear labeling and instructions accompany each toy. Safety warnings and proper usage instructions on toys.

Documentation on Compliance

Accurate records of testing and quality controls. All paperwork for inspection.

Corpseed would be helpful to businesses for compliance with the IS 987:2019. We provide custom-made services for compliance and regulatory purposes, advice on the safety standards of toys, and help in documentation and certification fulfilling all requirements. You may be assured that your products maintain the set of safety criteria so that you do not threaten consumers and your brand reputation.