Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China has introduced a revised mandatory national standard GB 6675 for toy safety, which includes stricter regulations on harmful substances and safety measures for new types of toys, ensuring a high-quality development of the toy industry [1][2]. Group 1: Chemical Safety - The new standard adds limits for ten harmful substances, including formaldehyde and boron, significantly increasing the coverage of chemical safety in toys [1]. - The revised standard aims to address health risks associated with toys, such as ingestion and skin contact, enhancing the safety of children's products [1]. Group 2: Mechanical and Physical Safety - New technical requirements have been introduced for toys with open flame devices and food-shaped toys, while existing requirements for specific categories like yo-yos and inflatable toys have been optimized [2]. - The standard has raised the bar for physical safety, with a metaphorical comparison indicating that the passing score has been raised from 60 to 90 [2]. Group 3: Fire Safety - The revised standard includes new flammability performance requirements for headwear toys and improves testing methods for various toy categories, ensuring better fire safety [2]. Group 4: Transition Period - A dual transition period has been established to mitigate the impact of the new standards on the industry, allowing 12 months for production adjustments followed by another 12 months for sales [2]. Group 5: AI Toys Development - The MIIT is focusing on promoting high-quality development in the AI toy sector through policy support, product innovation, and regulatory development [3]. - AI toys are characterized by stronger integration with technology, redefining their roles to include educational and emotional support functions, and appealing to a broader age demographic [3]. - The MIIT plans to collaborate with relevant departments to create implementation plans that encourage the integration of AI technology in toy manufacturing [3].

Core Viewpoint - The recent revision of the GB6675 "Toy Safety" standards significantly raises the quality requirements for toy products, reflecting a shift from a passing score of 60 to 90, aimed at enhancing child safety and product quality [1] Industry Overview - China's toy industry has established the most comprehensive toy supply chain globally, with retail sales expected to reach 97.85 billion yuan in 2024 and surpass 100 billion yuan in 2025 [2] - The GB6675 "Toy Safety" standards have been continuously improved since the 1980s, forming a mandatory national standard system focused on toy safety [2] Standard Revision Details - The new standards introduce limits on ten harmful substances, including formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), addressing health risks associated with toys [2] - Mechanical and physical safety requirements have been updated to include new product categories and enhance existing safety measures for specific toy types [2] - Fire safety standards have been improved, adding requirements for flame-retardant properties in certain toys [2] Market Trends - The AI toy market is rapidly growing, projected to reach approximately 24.6 billion yuan in 2024 and 29 billion yuan in 2025, driven by advancements in technology and materials [4] - The integration of AI technology into toys is expected to enhance interactive experiences and foster creativity in children [6] Regulatory Actions - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) plans to collaborate with relevant departments to promote high-quality development in the AI toy sector, focusing on policy support and product innovation [5][6] - Recent investigations revealed that popular toys like "squishy toys" and "crystal mud" had excessive harmful substances, prompting regulatory scrutiny and updates to safety standards [6][7] - The MIIT aims to address safety concerns by optimizing limits on harmful substances in toys, particularly those that have garnered public attention [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The revision of the mandatory national standard GB 6675 for toy safety introduces new limits on ten harmful substances, including formaldehyde, and strengthens regulations for AI toys and other new products, ensuring a smooth transition for the industry and promoting high-quality development in China's toy sector [1][4]. Industry Overview - China's toy industry has shown strong resilience, with the domestic retail market expected to reach 97.85 billion yuan in 2024, a 25.5% increase from 2020, and toy exports projected at 39.87 billion USD, a 19.1% increase from 2020, with over 40% of products exported to the US and EU markets [2]. - The industry has established a comprehensive supply chain, with advanced production technologies and skilled labor, leading to a significant increase in product variety, including AI toys, which are projected to grow from 24.6 billion yuan in 2024 to 29 billion yuan in 2025 [2]. Safety Concerns - Rapid industry expansion has led to safety issues, such as excessive formaldehyde in "squeeze toys" and data security concerns in smart toys, highlighting the urgent need for new safety standards [3]. Standard Upgrades - The revised standards enhance safety across three core dimensions: chemical safety, mechanical and physical safety, and fire safety, significantly increasing the coverage of harmful substances and improving the overall safety level of toys [4]. - New limits on ten harmful substances, including formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), have been added to address health risks for children [4]. - The standards also introduce specific technical requirements for new product categories, such as flame devices and food-shaped toys, to ensure physical safety [4]. Transition Period - To mitigate the impact of the new standards on the industry, a dual transition period has been established, allowing 12 months for production adjustments and another 12 months for sales, ensuring an orderly phase-out of old inventory [5][6]. AI Toy Regulation - The government aims to promote high-quality development in the AI toy sector through policy support, product innovation, and regulatory development, recognizing the evolving role of toys as educational and emotional companions [7]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology plans to collaborate with relevant departments to create implementation plans that align supply and demand in the consumer goods market, encouraging the integration of AI technology in toy development [7].

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has introduced revised mandatory national standards for toy safety, addressing new safety concerns and enhancing regulations to ensure the high-quality development of China's toy industry [1][3]. Industry Overview - China's toy industry has shown strong resilience, with the domestic retail market expected to reach 97.85 billion yuan in 2024, a 25.5% increase from 2020, and toy exports projected at 39.87 billion USD, a 19.1% increase from 2020 [2]. - The industry has established a comprehensive supply chain, with advanced production technologies and a wide variety of toy materials, including AI toys, which are becoming a new competitive segment [2]. - The AI toy market is estimated to reach approximately 24.6 billion yuan in 2024, with expectations to grow to 29 billion yuan in 2025 [2]. Safety Concerns - Rapid industry growth has led to safety issues, such as excessive formaldehyde in "squishy toys" and data security concerns in smart toys, highlighting the urgent need for new safety standards [3]. - The new standards aim to enhance safety across three core dimensions: chemical safety, mechanical and physical safety, and fire safety [4][6]. Standard Upgrades - The revised standards significantly raise the quality threshold, akin to increasing the passing score from 60 to 90 [5]. - The new regulations include limits on ten harmful substances, enhancing the coverage of chemical safety in toys [6]. - Specific technical requirements have been added for new product categories, such as flame-retardant properties for headwear toys and safety standards for various toy types [6]. AI Toy Development - The Ministry plans to promote the high-quality development of AI toys through policy support, product innovation, and regulatory frameworks [7]. - AI toys are evolving to integrate educational, emotional, and creative functions, appealing to a broad user demographic [7]. - The Ministry will collaborate with relevant departments to create implementation plans that guide toy companies in leveraging AI technology to meet new consumer demands [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of safety standards in the toy industry, highlighting the recent updates to the GB 6675 "Toy Safety" national standards to address emerging safety concerns and ensure high-quality development in China's toy sector [1][2]. Industry Overview - China's toy industry has shown strong resilience, with the domestic retail sales expected to reach 97.85 billion yuan in 2024, a 25.5% increase from 2020, and toy exports projected at 39.87 billion USD, a 19.1% increase from 2020 [4]. - The industry has established a comprehensive supply chain, with advancements in production technology and a wide variety of toy materials, including AI toys, which are becoming a new competitive segment [4]. Safety Standards Update - The new standards include limits on ten harmful substances such as formaldehyde and boron, and they specifically address new products like AI toys and popular items like "squishy" toys [2][5]. - The standards are upgraded across three core dimensions: chemical safety, mechanical and physical safety, and fire safety, enhancing the overall safety requirements for toy products [7][11]. Transition Period - A "12+12" transition period is established to allow manufacturers to adapt to the new standards, with 12 months for production adjustments followed by another 12 months for sales [8]. AI Toys Development - The AI toy market is projected to reach approximately 24.6 billion yuan in 2024, increasing to 29 billion yuan in 2025, reflecting the growing integration of AI technology in toys [4]. - The government aims to promote high-quality development in the AI toy sector through policy support, product innovation, and regulatory measures [10]. Chemical Safety Enhancements - The revised standards significantly expand the categories of harmful substances covered, addressing concerns related to children's health and safety [11]. - Specific technical requirements for new product categories, such as flame-retardant properties for headwear toys, have been introduced to enhance fire safety [11].