China’s New GB 6675 Toy Safety Standards: 8 Critical Changes Foreign Importers Must Know
China’s revised GB 6675 series—comprising GB 6675.1-2024 (General Requirements), GB 6675.2-2024 (Mechanical & Physical Properties), GB 6675.3-2024 (Flammability), and GB 6675.4-2024 (Chemical Properties)—introduces 8 major revisions to the 强制性国家标准 (mandatory national standard, qiángzhìxìng guójiā biāozhǔn) for toy safety. Published on December 1, 2024, by the Standardization Administration of China (SAC, 国家标准化管理委员会, guójiā biāozhǔnhuà guǎnwěi huì), the update replaces the 2014 version and takes effect June 1, 2025. For foreign toy brands and importers, this means a 12-month transition period to redesign products, retest materials, and relabel packaging—or risk being blocked at customs.
The 8 Key Revisions: What Changed and Why It Matters
The new standard tightens controls across four areas: chemical substances, mechanical safety, labeling, and emerging risks like smart toys and microplastics. Below are the eight most impactful changes for any company exporting toys to China.
1. Phthalate Restrictions Expanded from 6 to 8
GB 6675.4-2024 adds two new phthalates—diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dipentyl phthalate (DPENP)—to the existing banned list of six. This aligns China with EU REACH Annex XVII limits, meaning any toy with PVC components must pass an expanded 8-substance screening. The limit remains 0.1% by mass for each substance.
2. Chemical Migration Limits Increased from 7 to 9 Elements
The standard now restricts chromium VI and barium migration in addition to the previous seven heavy metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium). For example, the new migration limit for chromium VI is 0.005 mg/kg for scraped-off toy material—a threshold that requires upgraded testing from accredited Chinese labs.
3. Microplastic Warning Label Mandatory
Toys containing loose microplastic particles (e.g., play sand, slime, small beads) must now carry a warning label stating “Contains microplastics—not suitable for children under 3 years.” This follows the EU’s 2023 microplastic restriction and affects sensory play products, crafting kits, and certain building sets.
4. Smart Toy Data Security Clause Added
GB 6675.1-2024 introduces a new clause on cybersecurity and data privacy for connected toys—those with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or app pairing. Toys that collect children’s data must comply with China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL, 个人信息保护法, gèrén xìnxī bǎohù fǎ) and the new standard’s requirement to encrypt data transmission. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to 5% of annual revenue under PIPL.
5. Small Parts Test Cylinder Updated
The small parts test cylinder dimensions remain unchanged, but the testing protocol now includes a pre-wash step for fabric toys and plush items. If a button, eye, or fiber bundle detaches after two machine washes (at 40°C), it is considered a choking hazard. This adds a 3-day test cycle to previously straightforward mechanical assessments.
6. Flammability Test Criteria Tightened
GB 6675.3-2024 reduces the maximum burn rate for soft toys from 150 mm/s to 120 mm/s and extends the test duration from 10 seconds to 15 seconds. Costume wigs, masks, and play tents now fall under a new “low-density material” category with stricter surface flash requirements.
7. Labeling Now Requires Importer Disclosure and QR Code
Every toy sold in China must display the importer’s name, address, and contact information—not just the manufacturer’s—plus a QR code linking to a traceability page with batch number, production date, and test report. The QR code must be scannable with WeChat’s built-in scanner, a requirement unique to China.
8. Age Grading Methodology Standardized
For the first time, GB 6675 includes a mandatory age-grading table based on cognitive, physical, and behavioral development stages. Toys must be labeled with a specific age range (e.g., “3+,” “6+”) that corresponds to the new table’s criteria, not the brand’s historical practice. This affects about 40% of imported toys currently labeled “3+” that may need to shift to “4+” or “5+” under the new table.
Compliance Timeline: 12 Months to Act—But Earlier Is Better
The transition period runs from December 1, 2024 (publication date) to June 1, 2025 (enforcement date). However, three critical deadlines fall before enforcement:
- March 1, 2025—Deadline for submitting existing toy certificates to CNCA (Certification and Accreditation Administration, 国家认证认可监督管理委员会, guójiā rènzhèng rènkě jiāndū guǎnwěi huì) for re-issuance under the new standard.
- April 30, 2025—Last date to clear customs for toys manufactured under the 2014 standard. After this date, all shipments must comply with GB 6675-2024.
- June 1, 2025—Full enforcement. Any non-compliant toy found in the market faces confiscation, fines of up to RMB 300,000 per SKU, and public naming on the SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation, 国家市场监督管理总局, guójiā shìchǎng jiāndū guǎnlǐ zǒngjú) violation list.
Foreign companies that start the testing and label redesign process in Q1 2025 will have a 3-month buffer. Those waiting until May 2025 risk production delays and customs holds.
Comparison: GB 6675-2014 vs. GB 6675-2024
The table below summarizes the 8 changes side-by-side with the previous standard.
| Requirement | GB 6675-2014 | GB 6675-2024 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted phthalates | 6 (DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP) | 8 (adds DIBP, DPENP) | PVC material reformulation needed |
| Chemical migration limits | 7 elements | 9 elements (adds Cr VI, Ba) | New ICP-MS testing required |
| Microplastic warning | Not required | Mandatory label + content limit | Affects sensory & craft toys |
| Smart toy data security | Not covered | Encryption & PIPL compliance | App developers must update privacy policies |
| Small parts test | Dry test only | Pre-wash for fabric toys | +3 days to test cycle |
| Flammability burn rate | ≤150 mm/s | ≤120 mm/s | Soft toy fabric substitution possible |
| Labeling requirements | Manufacturer info only | Importer info + QR code traceability | New packaging design needed |
| Age grading | Voluntary guidelines | Mandatory standardized table | About 40% of imports may need age reassignment |
Impact on Foreign Toy Companies: Testing, Labeling, and Certification
The GB 6675-2024 update has three practical consequences for foreign toy exporters. First, testing costs will rise by an estimated 25–35% per SKU because of the added phthalate and heavy metal screens. A full GB 6675-2024 test package at a CNAS-accredited lab (e.g., SGS, TÜV Rheinland, or local labs like CTI) now costs between RMB 8,000 and RMB 15,000 per product, up from RMB 6,000–12,000 under the 2014 standard.
Second, labeling design must be revised to include the importer details and QR code. For companies using a China-based agent as the importer of record, the agent’s address must appear on the package—not the foreign company’s headquarters. This requires coordination with the agent to ensure their information remains current, as any change requires reprinting labels.
Third, existing CCC (China Compulsory Certification, 中国强制性产品认证, zhōngguó qiángzhìxìng chǎnpǐn rènzhèng) certificates for toys in categories like electric toys, ride-on toys, and dolls must be updated. CCC certificates issued under GB 6675-2014 remain valid only until the next surveillance audit—typically within 12 months. Companies should request a certificate amendment immediately to avoid a gap.
NEXT STEPS
- Audit your current toy portfolio against the 8 changes above and prioritize the top 20% of SKUs by volume. Read our guide on China CCC Certification for Toys: Step-by-Step Process to understand how GB 6675 connects to the compulsory certification system.
- Engage a CNAS-accredited lab in China for pre-compliance testing before March 2025. Use our Directory of Accredited Testing Labs for China Market Entry to find labs that handle GB 6675-2024.
- Update your labeling and packaging to include the importer address and QR code. See China Labeling Requirements for Consumer Goods: 2025 Checklist for a complete guide on warnings, barcodes, and traceability tags.
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