ISO 8124-2:2023

Overview

ISO 8124-2:2023 - Safety of toys - Part 2: Flammability specifies requirements and test methods for the flammability of toys. It identifies categories of flammable materials that are prohibited in all toys and sets out how to assess the behaviour of certain toy types when exposed to a small source of ignition. The standard focuses on realistic, small‑scale ignition scenarios and clarifies that test results apply only to the specified test conditions and do not represent the overall fire hazard under all possible ignition sources.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of application
  • General flammability requirements for all toys plus specific rules for higher‑risk toy categories.
  • Toy types covered: head‑worn items (beards, wigs, masks, hoods, headdresses), toy disguise costumes, toys intended to be entered by a child (e.g., tents, tunnels), and soft‑filled toys.
  • Some exclusions noted (e.g., plain paper/paperboard hats without attachments).
• Prohibited materials
  • Defines categories of highly flammable materials that must not be used in toys.
• Test methods (Clause 5)
  • Detailed procedures for preparing specimens, conditioning, and using a test burner and test flame to evaluate flammability.
  • Specific test sequences for different toy types (long flowing hair/pile elements, moulded masks, costumes, soft‑filled components).
  • Guidance on specimen holding/positioning, burner position, and interpretation of results.
• Limitations
  • Emphasises that outcomes apply to the standard’s small‑ignition test conditions and are not a universal measure of fire risk.
• Supporting information
  • Normative references (e.g., ISO 6941 for flame spread) and informative annexes with background and technical changes from the previous edition.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 8124-2:2023

• Toy manufacturers and designers - select materials and design headwear, costumes and soft toys to meet flammability limits.
• Testing and certification laboratories - perform standardized toy flammability testing for product compliance.
• Regulatory bodies and importers/retailers - evaluate conformity for market access and consumer safety programs.
• Compliance officers and safety engineers - integrate flammability criteria into risk assessments, product specifications and supplier audits.

Using ISO 8124-2 helps reduce fire‑related hazards in children's products, supports conformity assessment processes, and provides objective test methods for toy flammability evaluation.

Related standards

• ISO 8124 series (other parts covering mechanical, chemical and electrical toy safety)
• EN 71‑2 (European standard that largely informed this document)
• ISO 6941 (textile burning behaviour)
• IEC 62115 (additional flammability requirements for electric toys)

Keywords: ISO 8124-2:2023, safety of toys, flammability, toy flammability testing, toy standards, soft-filled toys, toy costumes, head-worn toys.