In September 2024, ISO/TR 8124-8:2024 “Safety of toys — Part 8: Age determination — First age grade for the appropriate play of toys” was published (Edition 3, 2024) by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Substantial Changes

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO/TR 8124-8:2016), which has been technically revised. The main changes are as follows:

- the title of the document has been revised to better align with the scope and intent of the contents therein;

- clarification has been added that this document only provides information for use in the determination of the lowest age at which children start playing with toys in specific toy sub-categories;

- "projectile toys" and “soft compound materials” have been included as sub-categories;

- Annex C has been added to provide visual examples of the differing levels of complexity or play pattern of product categories from the simplest operation (starting age grade) to higher appropriate age grades.

Notes

- This document provides information for use in the determination of the lowest age at which children start playing with toys in specific toy sub-categories. In the standard, “starting age” is defined as the “first age at which it is appropriate for a child to play with a specific type or group of toys”.

- Toys of the same sub-categories suitable for older children due to additional skills or complexity are not listed.

- Due to a number of factors, including size, complexity or other considerations (e.g., the number of pieces, dimensions, weight, level of detail and realism, brand or licence and special functions), the actual appropriate age grade for a specific toy can vary compared to the intended age. Specific products can therefore carry an age grade which is appropriate for a child that is older than the starting age grade listed in this document.

- This document is primarily directed to manufacturers and agencies that evaluate the compliance of toys with safety standards.

- This document can be used as a reference to determine the appropriateness of toys by earliest age, for use by distributors, institutions and organizations involved with child play, as well as by paediatric institutions, teachers, other professionals that use toys in their routine activities, and consumers.

- Although age grading has safety implications, this document is not intended to address specific safety requirements. Specific safety requirements for toys (e.g., restriction of the presence of small parts and small balls in toys intended for certain age groups, due to the choking hazard) can be found in the ISO 8124 series and in other regional toy safety standards and regulations.

References

https://www.iso.org/standard/76980.html