A Must-Read for Hong Kong Parents: Toy Safety Checklist and Buying Guide for Different Age Groups

November 20, 2025

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In Hong Kong, the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424) clearly stipulates that toys manufactured, imported, or supplied locally must comply with general safety requirements and additional safety standards.
Below, we will first briefly review these legal requirements, and then provide a "safety checklist" for parents to refer to when purchasing and using toys, categorized by age group.

I. Introduction to Hong Kong Toy Safety Laws

According to the regulations, toys must meet one of the toy standards listed in Schedule 1 (such as the ISO 8124 series, EN 71 series, ASTM F963) to be considered to comply with "general safety requirements".
Toy manufacturers, importers, and suppliers are responsible for not producing or selling "unsafe" toys.
Parents should also note that the Hong Kong government will revise the annex standards in 2024 and 2025 respectively to ensure alignment with international standards.
Common safety warnings include: whether the toy contains loose small parts, whether the plastic material contains excessive plasticizers or allergens, whether the age label on the toy is appropriate, and whether the plastic packaging bag poses a suffocation risk.

In conclusion, laws provide a "backing" for parents when choosing toys, but in reality, parents still need to personally check and supervise.

II. Toy Safety Checklist: Categorized by Age Group

The following checklist is categorized according to the child's developmental stage, toy characteristics, and common risks. Parents can print it out or attach it to their mobile phones for future reference.

0-2 years old (infancy and toddler stage)

Main risks : biting, swallowing, small parts, plasticizers, choking.

Age labeling: Toy packaging should indicate "0-2 years old" or "Adult supervision" or similar information.
Part size: Small parts that are not removable and smaller than the diameter of the swallowable part (generally about 35 mm or conforming to standards).
Materials/Chemicals: Avoid materials containing potentially allergenic or harmful substances. For example, there have been reports that some clay toys contain excessive amounts of CMIT/MIT, allergens.
Appearance/Structure: No sharp edges, no loose small parts, no long ropes or wrapping straps (to prevent suffocation).
Packaging safety: Plastic bags should be discarded immediately/kept away from young children (to prevent suffocation).
Supervision: An adult should be present when infants and young children are playing.
Cleaning and maintenance: If the toy has been bitten, is damaged, or has leaked liquid, stop using it immediately.

3-5 years old (preschool stage)

Key risks : small parts, pulling, climbing, material issues, chemicals

Pay attention to age markings such as "3 years and above" or "3-5 years old".
Small parts: Toys must still not contain parts that are easy to detach or swallow.
Material inspection: Plastics, rubber, and coatings must meet standards. Pay attention to plasticizers/PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) issues.
Structural safety: No easily breakable parts, no sharp edges or corners, and no traps or gaps.
Installation/Electric Toys: If it is battery-powered/electric, make sure the battery box screws are tightened to prevent children from swallowing the batteries.
Note: Parents can educate their children early on about "not putting toys in their mouths" and "not climbing on or standing on toys."

6-8 years old (childhood stage)

Main risks : Active toys (wheeled/gliding), technological/electric toys, building blocks/components, chemical materials

Age rating: Suitable for ages 6 and up, or recommended for parental supervision.
Building blocks/assembly: Check that the parts are secure and that there are no small parts that can easily fall off.
Gliding/wheeled toys: Check the wheels, brakes, and stability.
Electric toys/remote control: Check that the wires/batteries are safe and that the instruction manual is complete.
Chemicals/Materials: Continue to pay attention to the safety of coatings, plastics, and rubber. A report in Hong Kong indicates that some toys contain excessive levels of plasticizers or allergens.
Education Enhancement: Teach children how to put away toys after use and how to protect toys to extend their lifespan.

Children aged 9 and above (older children/teenagers)

Main risks : Models/assemblies/electric devices/virtual toys, complex components

Age rating: 9 years and above or "9+".
Model/assembly toys: Contain extremely detailed small parts; take precautions to prevent accidental swallowing or detachment.
Electric/Technology Toys: Check battery safety, charger quality, and whether there are overheat warnings.
Virtual/online interactive toys: Focus on parental monitoring and provide accompanying safety guidelines.
Educational responsibility: At this stage, children can be taught how to maintain toys, follow usage guidelines, and understand the reasons behind safety standards.

III. Additional Checks and Purchase Recommendations for Parents (Applicable to Hong Kong Families)

When purchasing, check for a label in both Chinese and English indicating the "manufacturer/importer's name and address." According to regulations, toys must have this label.
Prioritize products with Hong Kong registered agents or sales channels and those marked with formal standards (such as ISO 8124, EN 71).
Pay attention to safety warnings issued by Hong Kong consumer rights organizations (such as the Hong Kong Consumer Council), such as toys containing excessive amounts of allergenic chemicals or having poor structure.
Avoid buying toys that are "too cheap", "unlabeled", or "of unknown origin".
Regularly inspect toys in your home: if there is any damage, cracks, missing parts, abnormal heat in electric toys, or a plastic odor, stop using them immediately.
Teach children how to tidy up and maintain their toys after use, and how to play with them together with parents. Playing together increases safety supervision and promotes parent-child interaction. IV. Conclusion

Toys are important companions in a child's growth, but safety should never be taken lightly. For Hong Kong parents, in addition to purchasing compliant toys, continuous monitoring, instruction, and maintenance are equally important. We hope this "Toy Safety Checklist" can be a useful tool in your home, allowing your child to grow up happily in a safe environment.

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