US CPSC Final Rule on Additional Requirements for Water Bead Toys
On 12 December 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published in the Federal Register the Final Rule for "Safety Standard for Toys: Requirements for Water Beads" – under 16 CFR Parts 1112 and 1250.
This safety standard sets forth requirements for water bead toys and toys that contain water beads.
Reasons for the Update
CPSC considered the requirements currently in ASTM F963-23 for this category of toys are insufficient to address all known water bead toy hazards. Potential hazards for expanding materials in general include gastrointestinal tract blockage if a child ingests a product comprised of expanding materials.Therefore CPSC decided to create additional requirements in Part 1250 to establish mandatory requirements specifically for water bead toys.
Therefore, this rule revises the title of Part 1250 from "Safety Standard Mandating ASTM F963 for Toys" to "Safety Standard for Toys", to reflect the inclusion of requirements that do not incorporate by reference existing requirements in ASTM F963.
In short, the Rule is now more stringent than the current requirements in ASTM F963-23 and would further reduce the risk of injury and death associated with products within the scope.
Major Warnings Required
Figure 4 to Paragraph (d)(1)(i)—Warning for Water Bead Toys and their Packaging
Figure 5 to Paragraph (d)(1)(ii)—Warning for Toys with Contained Water Beads and their Packaging
Major Test Jigs Required
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Figure 1 to Paragraph (c)(1)—Small Parts Cylinder
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Figure 2 to Paragraph (c)(1)—Funnel Test Gauge. Material: Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)
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Figure 3 to Paragraph (c)(1)—Sieve Test Gauge. Material: Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE)
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Effective Date
The rule is effective on 12 March 2026.
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