Hong Kong opens consultation on adopting up-to-date safety standards for toys and children's products

April 2013

Relevant for: Electrical & Electronics, Hardlines,Toys & Children Products

On 21 January 2013, Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) proposes to adopt up-to-date safety standards promulgated by relevant safety standards institutions for toys and eight types of children’s products designated under the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424).

This ordinance stipulates that no person shall manufacture, import or supply toys or the eight types of children’s products unless the toys or children’s products comply with all the requirements contained in at least one up-to-date standard that is specific to the product. Please see table A and table B for major changes in this proposal.




 TABLE A: UPDATES TO STANDARDS STIPULATED FOR TOYS


Current standard(s)

Proposed up-to-date standard(s)


International standard

ISO 8124-1:2009

ISO 8124-1:2012

IEC 62115 Edition 1.1 (2004-11)

IEC 62115 Edition 1.2 (2011-02)


European standard

BS EN 71-8:2003+A4:2009

BS EN 71-8:2011

BS EN 62115:2005

BS EN 62115:2005+A2:2011

ASTM standard

ASTM F963-08

ASTM F963-11


TABLE B: UPDATES TO STANDARDS STIPULATED FOR CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS


Current standard(s)

Proposed up-to-date standard(s)

Babies’ dummies

ASTM F963-08

ASTM F963-11

Baby walking frames

ASTM F977-11

ASTM F977-12


Bunk beds

ASTM F963-08

ASTM F963-11

BS EN 747-2:2007

BS EN 747-1:2012


Child safety barriers

BS EN 1930:2000

BS EN 1930:2011

ASTM F1004-10

ASTM F1004-12

Children’s cots

ASTM F1169-10a

ASTM F1169-11


Children’s paints

 ASTM F963-08

 ASTM F963-11

 AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2003 +A1:2010

 AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2012

 Playpens

 ASTM F406-11

 ASTM F406-12a

 Wheeled child conveyances

BS EN 1888:2003

 BS EN 1888:2012

It is proposed that the new legislation on the up-to-date safety standards concerned would commence several months after its passage. Affected business groups should make the necessary arrangements to comply with the new legislation.

References:
Consultation document
Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) proposed updates to safety standards for toys and children’s products
Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424)