Water Bead Toys Could Get Tougher Safety Standard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is accepting comments through Nov. 8 on a proposed rule that would establish additional performance and labeling requirements for water bead toys and toys that contain water beads. This rule would also establish acrylamide level limits for water beads and implement associated new testing requirements.

The CPSC states that water beads are various shaped, multi-colored or clear beads composed of water absorbing polymers, such as polyacrylamides and polyacrylates, that expand when soaked in liquid such as water. When first purchased they are small and dehydrated, typically no larger than 7.0 mm in diameter, and are thus usually either hard, solid beads or soft-gelled beads.

Water beads are often sold in large quantity packages. They are also commonly included in toy products such as experiment kits, sensory kits, squeeze/sensory balls, and water pellet guns.

If finalized, this rule would require importers, manufacturers, and private labelers of subject items to certify, based on testing by an ISO-accredited, CPSC-accepted third-party conformity assessment body, that those items comply with the requirements of the rule.

For more information on compliance with this and other product safety standards, please contact Beth Ring at (212) 549-0133 or Ned Steiner at (202) 730-4970.