[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1500.52]
[Page 463-466]
TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
PART 1500_HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND ARTICLES; ADMINISTRATION AND
ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Sec. 1500.52 Test methods for simulating use and abuse of toys and other
articles intended for use by children over 18 but not over 36 months
of age.
(a) Application. The test methods described in this section, shall
be used to simulate the normal and reasonably foreseeable use, damage,
or abuse of toys and other articles intended for use by children over 18
but not over 36 months of age in conjunction with Sec. 1500.18.
(b) Impact test--(1) Application. Except as provided in paragraph
(b)(4) of this section, toys having a weight of less than 4.0 pounds
0.01 pound (1.8 kilograms) shall be subject to
this test.
[[Page 464]]
(2) Impact medium. The impact medium shall consist of a \1/8\-inch
(0.3-centimeter) nominal thickness of type IV vinyl-composition tile,
composition 1--asbestos free, as specified by paragraphs 1.2 and 3.1.4
of Interim Amendment-1(YD), dated November 14, 1979, to the Federal
Specification entitled Tile, Floor: Asphalt, Rubber, Vinyl, Vinyl-
Asbestos, SS-T-312B, dated October 10, 1974,\1\ over at least a 2.5-inch
(6.4-centimeter) thickness of concrete. The impact area shall be at
least 3 square feet (0.3 square meter). The Commission recognizes that
this specified impact medium is the equivalent of, and will yield the
same impact test results as, a surface covered with vinyl-asbestos tile
meeting the requirements of Federal Specification SS-T-312A.
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\1\ See footnote 1 to Sec. 1500.51.
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(3) Testing procedure. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) (i)
and (ii) of this section, the toy shall be dropped four times from a
height of 3 feet 0.5 inch (0.92 meter) onto the
impact medium described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The toy
shall be dropped in random orientation. After each drop, the test sample
shall be allowed to come to rest and shall be examined and evaluated
before continuing.
(4) Large and bulky toys. (i) A toy that has a projected base area
of 400 or more square inches (2,560 or more square centimeters) shall be
tested for impact in accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this
section. The base area for toys with permanently attached legs shall be
measured by calculating the area enclosed by straight lines connecting
the outermost edge of each leg of the perimeter.
(ii) A toy that has a volume of more than 3 cubic feet (0.085 cubic
meter), calculated by the major dimensions without regard to minor
appendages, shall be tested for impact in accordance with paragraph
(b)(4)(iii) of this section.
(iii) The toys described in paragraph (b)(4) (i) and (ii) of this
section shall be tested for impact by tipping them over three times by
pushing the samples slowly past their centers of balance onto the impact
medium described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(c) Bite test--(1) Application. A toy (or component or any
accessible portion thereof) that has an external dimension of 1.25
inches 0.05 inch (3.18 centimeters) or less and a
design configuration that would permit a child to insert a portion into
the mouth in any orientation up to a biting thickness of 1.25 inches
0.05 inches (3.18 centimeters), for a penetration
of at least 0.25 inch (0.635 centimeter), shall be subject to this test.
(2) Test equipment--(i) Contact mechanism. The contact mechanism
shall be two metal strips or plates each measuring 0.25 inch 0.002 inch (0.635 centimeter) high and each having a
contact edge radius of 0.020 inch 0.002 inch (0.05
centimeter) for at least a 150-degree cross-sectional arc. A suggested
contact mechanism appears in figure 1 of Sec. 1500.51.
(ii) Loading device. The loading device shall be a scale or force
gauge having an accuracy of 0.5 pound (225 grams).
(3) Testing procedure. The test article shall be placed in the
contact mechanism in any reasonable position for a penetration of 0.25
to 0.5 inch (0.64 to 1.27 centimeters), which position utilizes less
than 180 degrees of the arc of the contact mechanism, and a test load
increasing to 50 pounds 0.5 pound (22.74
kilograms) shall be evenly applied within 5 seconds. This load shall be
maintained for an additional 10 seconds.
(d) Flexure test--(1) Application. This test shall be applied to
each component of a toy containing metal wire(s), or other metal
material(s), for stiffening or for retention of form if the component
can be bent through a 60-degree arc by a maximum force of 15 pounds
0.5 pound (6.80 kilograms) applied perpendicularly
to the major axis of the component at a point 2 inches 0.05 inch (5 centimeters) from the intersection of the
component with the main body of the toy or at the end of the component
if the component is less than 2 inches 0.05 inch
(5 centimeters) long.
(2) Testing procedure. The toy shall be secured in a vise equipped
with vise shields that are fabricated from 13-gauge cold-rolled steel or
other similar material and that have a 0.375-inch (0.95-centimeter)
inside radius. The
[[Page 465]]
component shall then be bent through a 60-degree arc by a force applied
at a point on the component 2 inches 0.05 inch (5
centimeters) from the intersection of the component with the main body
of the toy or applied at the end of the component if the component is
less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. The component shall then be
bent in the reverse direction through a 120-degree arc. This process
shall be repeated for 30 cycles at a rate of one cycle per two seconds
with a 60-second rest period occurring after each 10 cycles. Two 120-
degree arc bends shall constitute one cycle.
(e) Torque test--(1) Application--(i) General. A toy with a
projection, part, or assembly that a child can grasp with at least the
thumb and forefinger or the teeth shall be subject to this test.
(ii) Toys with rotating components. Projections, parts, or
assemblies that are rigidly mounted on an accessible rod or shaft
designed to rotate along with the projections, parts, or assemblies
shall be tested with the rod or shaft clamped to prevent rotation.
(2) Test equipment--(i) Loading device. The loading device shall be
a torque gauge, torque wrench, or other appropriate device having an
accuracy of 0.2 inch-pound (0.23 kilogram-centimeter).
(ii) Clamp. The clamp shall be capable of holding the test component
firmly and transmitting a torsional force.
(3) Testing procedure. With the toy rigidly fastened in any
reasonable test position, the clamp is fastened to the test object or
component. A torque of 3 inch-pounds 0.2 inch-
pound (3.46 kilogram-centimeters) shall be applied evenly within a
period of 5 seconds in a clockwise direction until a rotation of 180
degrees from the original position has been attained or 3 inch-pounds
0.2 inch-pound (3.46 kilogram-centimeters)
exceeded. The torque or maximum rotation shall be maintained for an
additional 10 seconds. The torque shall then be removed and the test
component permitted to return to a relaxed condition. This procedure
shall then be repeated in a counterclockwise direction.
(f) Tension test--(1) Application--(i) General. Any projection of a
toy that the child can grasp with at least the thumb and forefinger or
the teeth shall be subject to this test. This test is to be conducted on
the same toy that has been subjected to the torque test described in
paragraph (e) of this section.
(ii) Stuffed toys and beanbags. A stuffed toy or beanbag constructed
of pliable materials having seams (such as fabrics) shall have the seams
subjected to 15 pounds 0.5 pound (6.80 kilograms)
of force applied in any direction.
(2) Test equipment--(i) Clamps. One clamp capable of applying a
tension load to the test component is required. A second clamp suitable
for applying a tension load perpendicularly to the major axis of the
test component is also required.
(ii) Loading device. The loading device is to be a self-indicating
gauge or other appropriate means having an accuracy of 0.5 pound (255 grams).
(3) Testing procedure. With the test sample fastened in a convenient
position, an appropriate clamp shall be attached to the test object or
component. A 15-pound 0.5 pound (6.80-kilogram)
direct force shall be evenly applied, within a period of 5 seconds,
parallel to the major axis of the test component and maintained for an
additional 10 seconds. The tension clamp shall then be removed and a
second clamp appropriate for pulling at 90 degrees shall be attached to
the test object or component. A 15-pound 0.5 pound
(6.80-kilogram) tensile force shall be evenly applied, within a period
of 5 seconds, perpendicularly to the major axis of the test component
and maintained for an additional 10 seconds.
(g) Compression test--(1) Application. Any area on the surface of a
toy that is accessible to a child and inaccessible to flat-surface
contact during the impact test shall be subject to this test.
(2) Test apparatus. The loading device shall be a rigid metal disc
1.125 inches 0.015 inch (2.86 centimeters) in
diameter and 0.375 inch (0.95 centimeter) in thickness. The perimeter of
the disc shall be rounded to a radius of \1/32\ inch (0.08 centimeter)
to eliminate irregular edges. The disc shall be attached to an
appropriate compression scale having an accurancy of 0.5 pound (225 grams).
(3) Testing procedure. The disc shall be positioned so that the
contact surface
[[Page 466]]
is parallel to the surface under test. A direct force of 25 pounds
0.5 pound (11.4 kilograms) shall be evenly applied
within 5 seconds through the disc. This load shall be maintained for an
additional 10 seconds. During the test the toy is to rest on a flat,
hard surface in any convenient position.
[40 FR 1485, Jan. 7, 1975; 40 FR 6210, Feb. 10, 1975; 40 FR 16192, Apr.
10, 1975; as amended at 56 FR 10, Jan. 2, 1991]