ST Standard 2025 Revisions in Japan (ST 基準 2025 改定)

2025-03-25

Updated Standards

The ST standards have been revised to align with the latest versions of the international standards as proof of "sufficient technical evidence" for compliance:

- ISO8124-1:2022 and ISO8124-2:2023

- EN71-1:2024+A1:2018 and EN71-2:2020 or

- ASTM F963-23 (4.1, 4.2, 4.5 to 4.19, 4.21 to 4.28 and 4.30 to 4.41)

At the very least, ST revised standards for "toys for infants and toddlers" (under 3 years old) were "equal" or "more stringent" than the corresponding international standards.

Due to the alignment, ST Standards are widely revised, including the "Terms and Definitions", and "Warning display of small parts, globules, and marbles", as well as addition of new tests, such as the “Jaw pinching test”.

Updated Standards

The ST Mark contains an "Approval Number" (合格番号) which can be checked for authenticity on the "ST Search Site" (ＳＴ検索サイト). This eliminates fraudulent ST marks.

Scope of Revision

ST Standards are revised for:

- Children's Specific Products - Baby Cots 子供用特定製品乳幼児用ベッド

- Toys for Infants and Toddlers (Toys for Under 3 Years Old) 乳幼児用玩具 (3才未満向け玩具)

Standards	Contents of ST Standard 2025 (comparison with ISO)
ISO8124-1:2022	For infant toys the ST standards are equal to or stricter than the ISO standards.
ISO8124-2:2023	Identical (ISO8124-2 translated into Japanese)

Structure of the Revised ST Standards

ST Part 1 & Part 2	Specified products for children under the Consumer Product Safety Act (消費用製品安全法) "Toys for Infants and Toddlers" (toys for children under 3 years old)
ST Part 3 (Chemical Safety)	"Designated toys 指定おもちゃ" under the Food Sanitation Law 食品衛生法 (under 6 years old)

- Covers physical safety, flammable safety, and chemical safety (u to 14 years old).

- Covers laws and regulations related to toy safety.

Exemptions

Items that are considered "exempt products" in ISO8124-1 have been added as exempted items in ST, such as items primarily for decorative purposes; toys installed in public places (arcades, shopping centers, etc.); educational products containing heating elements intended for use under adult supervision; pacifiers (requirement will also be removed in Part 3 of the ST due to exemption, while Regulations of the Food Safety Act will still apply); and toy scooters, etc.

Schedule and Transitional Measures

Date	Event
26 June 2024	Revised product safety 4 laws promulgated (改正製品安全4法公布).
13 December 2024	Promulgation of Maintenance Ordinance (整備政令公布)(Designation of specific products for children, etc.).
31 January 2025	Promulgation of the Ordinance of the Ministry of Maintenance (整備省令公布)(Sub-use of specific products, technical standards, etc.).
20 February 2025	Notice of Interpretation of Certain Products(Range of toys for infants and toddlers).
01 April 2025	Revised ST Standards Implemented (ST2025 Acceptance of ST Inspections) (Transitional Measures). Until 2016-12-24, continue to accept ST inspections (parallel track).
25 September 2025	Notification of toys for infants and toddlers begins, and business notification is now accepted. After notification, if the product complies with technical standards, etc., it can be sold wholesale and retail with the Child PSC mark attached if it complies with "ST2025". (Only notified businesses can display the Child PSC mark.)
25 December 2025	Enforcement of the four amended Product Safety Laws, commencement of regulations for overseas businesses, commencement of regulations on specific products for children. Newly produced and imported products must comply with ST2025. (Products manufactured or imported 25 days prior to this date and are in stock are not required to conform to ST2025.) In short, toys for infants and toddlers manufactured and imported on/or after this date must comply with ST2025.