1. Human Factors, Age Grading, and Design Evaluations
International Training Seminar
Guangzhou, China
September 12, 2017
The Testing Inspection and Certification Sector
October 2016
Washington, DC

2. Human Factors
Human Factors is an area of psychology that studies the relationship between people and their environments.
Goal: To reduce the risk of injury and potential recalled products.
Evaluate concept or product for:
– Intended/Unintended User – Function = Foreseeable Use/Misuse – Design = Fit, Comfort, Size – Manufacturer’s Stated Intent vs. Advertising, Promotion, Marketing vs. Age Group for Whom Item is Commonly Recognized

3. Age Grading Age Grading vs. Age Labeling
Age Grading pairs the features of the toy to the abilities of a child. Age grading has safety implications, as the age grade is used to determine the appropriate tests to which the product will be subjected and with which it must comply.
Age Labeling gives parents, caregivers, and other consumers, guidance in choosing appropriate toys for children of various ages.
Age for testing does not need to match labelled age (i.e. package can state 3 years+ but lab can test for all ages).
Age labeling must be accurate. If a toy being tested for small parts is not clearly and conspicuously age labeled, or is inappropriately age labeled, CPSC staff performs the most stringent test from the two age groups for children under 3 years of age. The staff subjects toys that are appropriately age labeled for children of ages spanning more than one age group to the most stringent tests specified for the age groups involved. For example, if a toy is intended for children 12 to 24 months of age, CPSC staff subjects it to the most stringent use and abuse tests for the 0 through 18 month and 19 through 36 month age groups. If CPSC staff determines that a toy is intended for children under 3 years of age, the toy is subject to the Small Parts Regulation regardless of its age labeling.
Although small parts that present a hazard are clearly inappropriate for children under 3 years of age, the mere presence of small parts does not establish the age child for whom a toy is
commonly recognized as being intended, and does not preclude the possibility that CPSC staff would determine that the toy is intended for children under the age of 3. Rather, one must
consider whether parents and others would purchase the toy for children under 3 years of age based on the toy’s characteristics and the characteristics of children of this age.
Summary: You cannot age label around a hazard.

4. Age Grading Children’s Toy
Consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer for a child 12 years of age or younger for use by the child when the child plays.
Children’s Product
Consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger.
General Product
Any article, produced or distributed (i) for sale to a consumer for use or (ii) for the personal use, consumption or enjoyment of a consumer in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise.

5. Age Grading Accurate Toy Age Grading =
Greater attractiveness and safety for the child
Greater brand loyalty of parents and children

6. Age Grading Considerations for Age Grading Manufacturer’s Age Label
Marketing and Advertising
Recognizability
CPSC Age Determination Guidelines
Product Features
Child Development
Items are sized for adults, but have child appeal.

7. Age Grading Product Features Size and Shape of Parts Number of Parts
Interlocking or Loose Parts
Motor Skills Required
Materials
Color / Contrast
Cause and Effect
Sensory Elements
Level of Realism / Detail
Licensing / Marketing
Classic
Educational Aspects or Smart Features

8. Age Grading Child Development Physical Abilities Cognitive Development
Emotional Development
Social Learning
Children’s development involves not only physical and cognitive development, but also emotional and social development. All four domains must be addressed to create play
opportunities and environments in which children will thrive. Children’s cognitive development, which includes creativity, discovery, language skills, verbal judgment and reasoning, symbolic
thought, problem-solving skills, and the ability to focus and control behavior, are all heavily influenced by their play experiences. Their emotional development, which is also shaped by their
play, includes feelings of happiness, feelings of power over the environment, emotional awareness, sensitivity to others, emotional strength and stability, spontaneity, humor, and
feelings about self. Social learning occurs largely during children’s play interactions, as children learn to play in larger and larger groups, and as they begin to learn about appropriate behaviors
within certain contexts. Considering the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children permits adults to address the well-being of the whole child as they design,
manufacture, package, sell, or purchase play items such as toys.
Physical abilities
gross motor skills & fine motor skills
Cognitive development
creativity & discovery, language skills, verbal judgment and reasoning, problem-solving skills, ability to focus and control behavior
Emotional development
feelings of happiness, feelings of power over the environment, emotional awareness, sensitivity to others, emotional strength and stability, spontaneity, humor and feelings about self
Social learning
children’s play interactions

9. Age Grading Challenging Products Household / Home Decor Collectibles
Combination Products
Promotional Items
Food Packaging
Pet Toys

10. The Testing Inspection and Certification Sector
Design Evaluations
The Testing Inspection and Certification Sector
October 2016
Washington, DC

11. Design Evaluations What’s Included Product Description and Photos
Regulatory Requirements
Human Factors Concerns / Recommendations
Age Appropriateness
Recall and Injury Data

12. Design Evaluations Resources
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Age Determination Guidelines: Relating Children’s Ages to Toy Characteristics and Play Behavior
ASTM F963–16: Toy Safety
The Code of Federal Regulations – 16 CFR 1500
EN71-1:2014: Safety of Toys
Canada Toys Regulations (SOR/ )
Child Development Research
Anthropometric Data
Injury, Fatality, and Recall Data

13. The Testing Inspection and Certification Sector
Thank You!
The Testing Inspection and Certification Sector
October 2016
Washington, DC