Japan S2016

In 1971, the Japan Toy Association (JTA) established the Japan Safety Toy Mark (ST Mark), which specifies the mechanical and physical properties, combustion safety properties and chemical safety properties of toys. The standard is voluntary and only products that are attached to the standard are allowed to be marked with the ST Mark on the product itself. Although not a mandatory standard, the standard has a very important impact on the acceptance of toys in the Japanese market.

The latest current ST standard ST 2016 came into effect on April 1, 2016.

Scope of ST 2016 application.

The Japanese toy standard (ST 2016) applies to toys for children aged 14 and under.

The main components include include

Drive toys

Science equipment

Children's crafts (e.g., easy-to-build models, woodworking tools)

Toys (e.g., Chiaki)

Toy sports apparatus

Water toys

Bath toys

Inflatable toys for the water

Christmas items, etc.

ST 2016 testing items

To obtain the ST mark, you must comply with the Japanese toy safety standards. The standards can be divided into 3 parts as follows.

Part 1 - Physical and Mechanical Testing: Focuses on the hazards of toys to children

Part 2 - Flammability Test: Focuses on the flammability properties of toys

Part 3 - Chemical Properties: Concerning the toxicity of different toy materials (especially PVC, PE, rubber, paint coatings

and textile materials)

Among the chemical testing items include the following.

1. for drawing tools such as ink and similar materials, colorants / decolorization test can be done. 

2. Potassium permanganate consumption and evaporation residue tests for parts made of PVC and PE, vinyl chloride resin coatings or plastic parts, etc. 

3. for printing, folding paper, metal toy parts and rubber toys, etc., can do the heavy metal content test. 

4. for toys, such as textiles, can do free formaldehyde detection.

5. For other materials or components, can do the detection of o-benzene content, heavy metal content, fluorescent whitening agent, etc.