International Toy Safety Testing – Australia/New Zealand (ISO 8124)
As with any country, if you want to sell a toy to consumers in Australia or New Zealand, you need to make sure it conforms to the appropriate toy safety standards. If you're not sure what tests you need to carry out or what evidence you need, Northern Testhouse is here to help.
Our experts will carefully assess your product to determine what evidence you'll need to demonstrate that it's compliant, then carry out the testing to order – with fast turnaround times to suit your needs and budget.
We are one of the UK’s most experienced compliance testing laboratories. Contact us to find out how our totally independent service can support your ISO 8124 testing requirements.
What toy safety standards apply in Australia and New Zealand?
Australia and New Zealand require toys to comply with ISO 8124 Parts 1, 2 and 3.
ISO 8124 Part 1
This section covers a product's mechanical and physical properties.
It specifies acceptable criteria for structural characteristics of toys, such as their shape, size, contour and spacing, as well as acceptable criteria for properties specific to certain categories of toy (e.g. ride-on toy tip angles). They vary depending on the age of the child the product is intended for.
Additionally, it details where warnings are required on the toy or its packaging.
ISO 8124 Part 2
This section relates to a product's flammability.
It specifies materials that must not be used in toy manufacture, and rules regarding the flammability of certain toys if exposed to a small source of ignition.
As well as providing general specifications, it also contains requirements for specific types of toys, such as those intended to be worn on the head, costumes, textile/polymer sheet products intended to be entered by a child, and soft filled toys.
ISO 8124 Part 3
This section details specification for the migration of elements.
It specifies testing methods and acceptable levels for the migration of heavy metals (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium) from toy materials and toy parts.
Toy materials and parts in this context include coatings of paints, varnishes, lacquers, printing inks, polymers etc., textiles, paper, glass and metallic materials, materials intended to leave a trace such as pen ink and pencil graphite, and modelling materials.
How do I ensure my product meets the toy safety requirements for Australia and New Zealand?
To make sure your product is accepted as safe for sale in Australia or New Zealand, have it safety tested by Northern Testhouse.
We'll take a thorough assessment of your product and the markets you want to sell it in, then advise you on what safety tests we will need to carry out to ensure it's approved.
We have many years of extensive experience in product safety testing for these Australasian markets, as well as the UK and Europe, the US and more. You can rest assured that your product is in safe hands.
We are specialists in toy safety testing
Product safety testing and compliance is vital for the toy and children’s product sector, protecting yout company reputation and driving consumer confidence.
At Northern Testhouse (Leicester) Ltd, we specialise in the safety testing of toys.
We are one of the UK’s most experienced compliance testing laboratories. Contact us to find out how our totally independent service can protect your business by ensuring your products comply with relevant regulations.