ISO 8124: Toy Safety Around the World

Outside the US, the EU and the UK, most countries base their toy rules on ISO 8124, the international toy safety standard. A test report to ISO 8124, or the local version of it, usually covers them. Smaller markets, such as Israel and the UAE, will most of the time accept the EU test report instead. This guide covers Australia and New Zealand, Canada, those smaller markets and the rest of the world.

What Is ISO 8124?

ISO 8124 is the international standard for toy safety, written by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its first three parts match the tests in the US and EU standards:

• ISO 8124-1: mechanical and physical properties, such as sharp edges and small parts.
• ISO 8124-2: flammability.
• ISO 8124-3: migration of certain elements, meaning heavy metals.

ISO 8124 has no mark for the box. You may print "Complies with ISO 8124 standards" if you wish.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand use AS/NZS ISO 8124, their joint version of the standard. You need the test report; no mark is required on the box. You may print "Complies with AS/NZS ISO 8124 standards". Australian toy safety standards add one strict rule: toys for children up to and including 36 months must have no small parts that could be swallowed. The ACCC, Australia's consumer regulator, enforces this. It can apply even to a toy labelled for older children, if it is clearly suitable for under-3s. Games for children also need an Australian address on the box.

Canada

Canada's rules are the Toys Regulations, under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. A test report to ISO 8124 or to the EU standard is used for Canada. No mark is required on the box, and you may print "Complies with ISO 8124 standards". Canadian warnings must appear in both English and French.

Israel, the UAE and Other Smaller Markets

Smaller markets often accept the EU test report (EN 71), so a CE test can open them too:

• Israel: the Standards Institution of Israel (SII) accepts EU test reports as equal to local testing in most cases. You still need an SII approval certificate, which your local importer applies for, using your EN 71 reports.
• The UAE: toys need a conformity certificate under the UAE's ECAS scheme, run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Your importer usually applies for it, and the EU report is most of the time accepted.

Rules in smaller markets change, so always check with your importer before you ship. You only need a local test and address where you store and sell your games. Shipping single orders straight to customers in another country needs neither.

The Rest of the World

For most other countries, a test report to ISO 8124 is enough. Japan, South Korea and others have their own national standards, often based on ISO 8124. When in doubt, ask the lab, or contact us.

Which Test to Order

• US: ASTM F963 and CPSIA, with a CPSC certificate.
• EU, Israel, the UAE and other smaller markets: EN 71, with the CE mark.
• Great Britain: EN 71, with the UKCA mark alongside the CE mark.
• Australia and New Zealand: AS/NZS ISO 8124.
• Canada and the rest of the world: ISO 8124.

Ask for every market in one request: it costs less than separate tests. Our guide to how board game safety testing works explains the price.