TOYS:AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES FOR THE TOYS REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS ACT (HPA)
Product Safety Bureau1998-01-13
INTRODUCTION
The interpretations expressed in these guidelines reflect current thinking asunderstood by the Product Safety Branch . These guidelines are not a finalinterpretation of the Hazardous Products (Tous) Regulations, which is a matter forthe courts; however, they remain working directives that will be updated as required .
The Regulations have requirements that differ according to whether a toy is forchildren under or over the age of three . The main concern is small components intoys for children under 3 years . However, the Regulations do not state explicitlywhat type of toys are intended for children under or over the age of three .
The guidelines were developed in order to :
1)
reduce the room for subjectivity when determining the age for which atoy is intended ;
2)
enhance uniformity of enforcement across Canada ; and
3)
help industry comply with the Toys Regulations .
HOW TO USE THE GUIDELINES
The steps to be taken in determining the age of the child for which a toy is intendedare the following :
1) Determine the primary function or play feature of the toy as sold,advertised and promoted .
Example: a key chain (which looks like a key chain rattle), included in atoy not intended for an infant, such as a play house, even where it hasthe characteristics of a rattle, should not be considered as a rattle .
A toy intended to be used at different stages of development of a child, whichhas features that would please children under the age of three, has to beclassified for a child under three .
Example : an abacus as part of a push/pull toy that is intended for achild under the age of three has to be classified for a child under three .
2) Consult the following table entitled "Toys : Age Classification by Product" todetermine the age category for which the toy, or each feature of the toy, isintended .
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION BY PRODUCT
PRODUCT
FOR<3 YEARS OF AGE
FOR>3 YEARS OF AGE
ABC Square
° for < 3BlocksBlocs ABC
Abacus
as part of a toy for < 3
° abacus function onlyBoulier
years of age, e.g ., animalor vehicle
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
2
BallsBalles
BanksTire lire
BathtubToysJouets pour lebain
BinocularsJumelles
•
beach balls•
balls made of very softmaterial, such as foam ortextiles and balls made ofplastic
•
noise-making, such assqueeze balls, rattle balls
•
see-through withmoving parts inside
• as part of a toy for < 3years of age, e.g., pulltelephone bank
•
activity centre•
wind-up easy to turn,< 0,34 N •m '
•
bath toy stickers
•
realistic sports balls andgame balls, e.g ., soccer
•
balls to be used with a bator a racquet
•
super bouncing balls
•
bank function only
•
realistic models with sails,rudders
•
bubble makers
•
for>3
1 From U .S . Regulations for Tovs and Children's Articles (Consumer Product SafetyCommission), torque test for toys intended for children from 18 to 36 months .
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
3
PRODUCT FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
Activity Quilt °for<3Carpette de jeu
Balloons NOTE : Balloon blowing kits °for>3Ballons containing aromatic, aliphatic
or other organic solvents arebanned under section 21 ofPart I of the Schedule to theH PA.
PRODUCT
BlocksBlocs
BricksBriques
CameraAppareil-photo
CashRegisterCaisse enregis-treuse
TOYS : AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
4
FOR <3 YEARS OF AGE
•
soft, stuffed or made offoam; fabric or plasticcovered for easy gripping
•
may be made of wood orplastic
•
simple geometric shapes(few triangles and arches)
•
magnetic boards withanimals, figurines orgeometric shapes
•
simple plastic nuts, boltsand screws
•
cardboard blocks
•
see blocks,
•
with shape sorter•
bright primary colours•
rounded, caricatured•
few details•
made of plastic•
with a crank
FOR>3 YEARS OF AGE
•
tubes to be connectedtogether
•
flat pieces to be connectedinto slots
•
more complex bolts, nutsand screws
•
see blocks
•
for>3
•
realistic colours•
detailed written information•
paper delivery device•
grocery store unit, includingscales, conveyor etc .
PRODUCT
ChalkCraie
ClayPate a modeler
Cleaning SetTrousse demenagere
ClockHorloge
CookingEquipmentEnsemble pour lacuisine
Cosmetic KitTrousse demaquillage
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
all ages
•
bright primary colours•
made of plastic•
rounded, caricatured
•
with shape sorter
•
simple fake stove
NOTE: Perfume, lipstick,make-up, nail polish, shavingcream, etc., even when soldin a child-oriented package,are covered by the Food andDrugs Act and Regulationsadministered by HealthCanada . On the other hand,brushes, mirrors, combs,fake razors, etc ., arecovered under the HPA.
FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
all sizes for > 3
•
all ages
•
realistic shape andproportion
•
designed to teach time
•
stove that really works•
fake kitchen unit, includingseveral features
•
for>3
5
PRODUCT
CrayonsCrayons
Crafts Sets 2Trousse pourartisanat
Crib ToysJouets pour le lit
CutleryCoutellerie
Dish-washingsetsLave-vaisselle
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
6
FOR<3 YEARS OF AGE
•
"Finger Crayons" type•
specific designcharacteristic made toenable a child < 3 yrs. tohold easily ie. a hole withan appropriate size for ayoung child to put a fingerin or a knob at an endto place in a child's palm
•
those that have anotherfunction that is intended forchildren under the age ofthree (e.g . stackablecrayons and puzzles thatare intended for childrenunder the age of three)
•
for<3
•
bright primary colours•
made of plastic, rounded,caricatured
FOR>3 YEARS OF AGE
•
crayons which are not"Finger Crayons", or do nothave a hole to put a fingerin or a knob at an end toplace in a child's palm
•
those that have anotherfunction that is intended forchildren over the age ofthree (e.g., morecomplicated puzzles thatare intended for childrenover the age of three)
°for>3
•
realistic•
miniaturization of real ones
°for>3
2Crafts Kits include knitting, sewing, needlepoint, pottery, stained glass, paint bynumber sets, etc .
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
7
PRODUCT FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
Doctor/Nurse KitsTrousse demedecin oud'infirmiere
°for>3
DollsPoupees
° soft baby dolls° rag dolls° bean bag dolls° small peg dolls° talking dolls° few details (hair, eyes thatopen/shut)
° dolls to learn to dress (largebuttons, velcro, zipper)
° cuddly or soft
° dolls that cry, wet, move,drink, if they are not cuddlyor soft
° articulated limbs° paper dolls° fashion/teenage dolls
(Barbie type)° collectibles° hair-styling/cutting dolls° make-up dolls° career dressed dolls
Doll ° bright primary colours ° realisticcarriages/ ° made of plastic ° miniaturization of real onesStrollers ° rounded, caricatured ° collapsiblePoussettes pourpoupees
Felt Boards °for>3Tableau feutre
Ink Stamps °for>3Etampe
Iron/ ° bright primary colours ° realisticIroning ° made of plastic ° miniaturization of real onesBoard ° rounded, caricatured ° collapsible ironing boardPlanche arepasser
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES 8
PRODUCT FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
Jack-in-the-boxDiable a ressort
Kaleido-scopeKaleidoscope
Lacing ToysJouets a lacer
°for<3
° with features that arepleasing to < 3, and lacingis not primary function,e.g ., pull toy, shape sorter
°for>3
° lacing component only,e .g ., lacing cards
MagneticBoardsTableau aimante
° with animals, human,geometrically shapedpieces
° easy to create design
° with letters and numbers tocreate words and to learnto count
MarblesBilles
MicroscopeMicroscope
Model ToysModeles reduits
Pastry Sets
°for >3
°for >3
°for >3
°for >3Ensemble apatisserie
Peg DollsPoupees-Cheville de bois
Playhouse(child-sized)Maisonnette pourenfants
°for<3
°for<3
PRODUCT
FOR <3YEARS OF AGE
FOR >3 YEARS OF AGE
Play Gym
° for < 3for InfantPortique pourtout-petit
Pop-Up
° for < 3CharactersCopains-surprise
Pots and
° bright primary colours
° realisticPans
° made of plastic
° miniaturization of real onesBatteries de
° rounded, caricaturedcuisine
ProjectileTo
° for > 3ysProjectiles
Push-Pull
° for < 3Toys (with ahandle or astring)Jouets a pousser-tirer (avecpoignee oucorde)
PuppetMarionnette
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
9
•
push-up puppets•
hand puppets•
string puppets•
finger puppets
PRODUCT
PuzzlesCasse-tete
FOR<3 YEARS OF AGE
•
up to a total of 12 pieces,when all the pieces fit togetheradjacently to form a single image(there may be exceptions)
•
bright colours•
subjects familiar to a smallchild, such as animals,vehicles, parts of the humanbody, simple geometricforms, trees, clowns, etc .
•
pieces with smooth edges(no inter- locking edges)
•
pieces designed to fit in aplayboard cutout
•
materials such as plastic,wood, foam (like a bathsponge), foam rubber andheavy-weight cardboard
•
pieces may have a knob•
easy to fit the pieces together•
at least one edge of mostpieces of the puzzle iscoincident with the internaledge of the playboard cutout
•
when two images aresuperimposed on the sameplayboard, up to 12 pieces intotal
•
when there is more than oneplayboard per package or 2or more separate puzzles inthe package, up to 12 piecesfor each playboard orpuzzle
•
when 2 or more puzzles areplaced side by side on thesame playboard, up to 12pieces for each puzzle
•
foam puzzles promoted forbath-time use
•
alphabet, with 10-12 lettersrepresentednumbers (up to 12)
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
FOR>3 YEARS OF AGE
° 3-D puzzlesinterlocking edges
• no playboard cut out tofacilitate placement ofpiecesg• reater than 12 pieces
•
complete alphabet
10
PRODUCT
Radios'Radios
RattlesHochets
SandboxtoolsJouets pourcarre de sable
Science KitsNecessairesd'experiencescientifique
ShoppingCartsChariot d'epicerie
SinkEvier
TOYS : AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
with wind-upmechanisms that areeasy to turn
•
with another toy-like function eg. asoft toy/radio
•
for <3•
keys on a ring/chain areconsidered rattles
•
for<3
•
bright primary coloursmade of plastic
•
rounded, caricatured
•
for<3
FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
realistic•
functioning as a real one•
battery-operated
•
a toy is not a rattle when itis part of a toy intended fora child over 10 months,even where it has thecharacteristics of a rattle
•
maracas and musicalinstruments are notconsidered rattles
•
for>3
3 Radios include radios, T.V .'s, tape recorders, walkie-talkies, record players, etc .
11
•
realistic•
miniaturization of real ones
PRODUCTS
ToySoldiersSoldats
SqueezeToysJouets a presser
Stackingand NestingToysJouets a empilerou a emboIter
StencilsPochoirs
Stuffed ToysJouets enpeluche
Tea SetsEnsemble pour lethe
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
easy to grasp•
bright primary colours
•
for<3
•
most stuffed toys•
up to a height of 40 cm•
talking stuffed toys•
stuffed toys for learning todress (large buttons,velcro, zipper)
•
with musical boxes even ifa young child cannot windup the toy
•
with/without suction cups•
with/without velcro to attachbaby animals
•
bright primary colours•
made of plastic•
rounded, caricatured
FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
•
for>3
•
for>3
•
stuffed toys that cry, wet,move, drink
•
articulated limbs•
collectibles•
theme toys, e.g ., career-dressed
•
realistic•
miniaturization of real ones•
made from ceramic,porcelain, glass
12
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES 13
PRODUCTS FOR < 3 YEARS OF AGE FOR > 3 YEARS OF AGE
TelephonesTelephones
° bright primary colours° rounded, caricatured° musical push button° noise making dial° push/pull telephone with astring or a handle
° linked together with a stringto pretend to talk tosomeone else
° realistic° with complicated dialingfeatures, switchboard
Threading °for>3BeadsPerles
Tools ° bright primary colours ° realisticoutils ° made of plastic ° actually works
° e.g ., screwdriver, hammer, ° e.g., adjustable wrench,wrench, pounding bench locking pliersand hammer ° battery-operated
Tricks and °for>3JokesFarces etattrappes
Watch °for>3Montre
Weighing °for>3ScalesBalances
Wheel- ° bright primary colours ° realisticbarrows ° made of plastic ° miniaturization of real onesBrouettes ° rounded, caricatured
PRODUCTS
WheeledVehicles4Vehicules surroues
Wind-upRemontoir
WorkbenchEtabli
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
FOR<3 YEARS OF AGE
•
bright, primary colours•
friction-powered•
with string or handle to pull•
noise making, e .g . clicking•
rounded, caricatured•
few realistic details•
may be made of plastic,wood or textile
•
the greatest dimension isnot smaller than 5 cm
•
see-through•
the passengers areoversizedcompared to the size of thevehicle
•
sold singly or with oneattachment
•
with wind-up mechanismsthat are easy to turn
•
carries blocks•
simple workingmechanisms, e .g .,dumping, carrying blocks
•
simple sets, e.g ., a trainengine and a few cars soldas a set
• Wind-up key is easy tograsp and turn (requirestorque of less than 0 .34N-m)
FOR>3 YEARS OF AGE
14
realistic coloursrealistic shape andproportionrealistic detailed logos, trimon the vehiclethe size of the passengersis realistic compared to thesize of the vehiclemay be very small size(ie. < 5 cm)may be metalcollectiblemodel kitsbattery-operatedsets to be assembled, e.g.,train sets with tracks,houses etc . Often thecomponents of the set aresold separately (Exception :battery-operated vehiclesthat meet other criteria for•
3 will be classified for•
3)
• Wind-up key requires somedexterity to grasp and turnor strength (torque greaterthan 0 .34 N •m )
•
for>3
4 Wheeled Vehicles include airplanes, cars, trucks, trains, boats, motor cycles, etc .
3)
If the toy is not in the table, use the following characteristics to determine theage for which the toy is intended .
Example: a camera which needs visual keenness to use : despite thefact that it is bright coloured and has few details, should be classifiedfor over three .
UNDER 3 (<3)
meant to be attached to a crib,a carriage, e .g ., a mobile
the greatest dimension is notsmaller than 5 cm
push/pull toy with a handle ora string (excluding dollcarriages, shopping cartsetc.)
there are no othercharacteristics that will makeit for an under 3
typically not for an under 3
typically not for an under 3
typically not for an under 3
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
1 5
4-
4-
4 --
F
OVER 3 (>3)
there are no othercharacteristics that will makeit for an over 3
there are no minimumdimensions
there are no othercharacteristics that will makeit for an over 3
needs visual keenness, e .g .,camera, binoculars,kaleidoscope
typically designed to be usedwith another child, e .g .,games, telephones linkedtogether with a string topretend to talk to someoneelse
non-assembled toys, e .g .,construction toys, models,train sets, figurines toassemble (excluding puzzlesand blocks)
collectible toys
rounded shape, caricatured,does not look real,componentsnot realistically proportioned,e .g., in a toy vehicle, thepassenger is notproportion to the size of thevehicle
see-through with movingparts inside, e .g ., a toyvehicle with moving gearsinside a transparent frame
bright primary colours, notexcluding other colours,typically non- realisticcolours
typically made of plastic,wood, textile, but notexcluding metal
when the toy vehicle ispowered, typically it is frictionpowered, but not excludingbattery operate
if a winding key is present, itdoes not require more than0,34 N•m ' to turn the key
if the toy makes noise, thenoise is typically an animalnoise or a clicking noise
TOYS : AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES 16
realistic shape andproportions, realistic detailedlogos and trim on a vehicle,e .g ., in a toy vehicle, thepassenger is in proportion tothe size of the vehicle
typically not for over 3
not excluding bright primarycolours, but typically realisticcolours
made of more realisticmaterial, e.g., metal, but notexcluding plastic, wood ortextile
when the toy vehicle ispowered, typically it isbattery operated, but notexcluding friction powered
there is no torque limitation
if the toy makes noise, thenoise is realistic
1 From U.S . Regulations for Toys and Children's Articles (Consumer Product SafetyCommission), torque test for toys intended for children from 18 to 36 months .
SOURCES
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by the following:
past decisions made by the Product Safety Bureau ;
comments from inspectors of the Product Safety Bureau regarding previousguidelines ;
Hazardous Products Act Reference Manual ;
U .S . CPSC, Guidelines for Relatinq Children's Ages to Tov Characteristic ;
U .S . CPSC officials ;
U .S. CPSC, Requlations for Toys and Children's Products ;
Canadian Toy Testing Council, 1991 Tov Report ; and
retail catalogues .
TOYS: AGE CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
For more information please contact the nearest Health Canada Product SafetyOffice .
17
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