January 20, 2010

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has adopted a national technical regulation on the safety of toys (No. 18/2009/TT-BKHCN) which establishes the requirements for children's toys to minimize hazards and risks related to the safety and health of children.  The regulation, which is effective April 15, 2010, applies to manufacturers, importers and retailers of children's toys.  The regulation pronounces physical, mechanical, chemical, flammability and labeling requirements.  Test methods for each of the requirements are specified within the regulation. Under the regulation, "children’s toy" is defined as any product or material designed for children under the age of 16 for use when playing.

The following are not included in the definition of "children's toy" under this regulation:

• Bicycles, except those considered to be toys
• Slingshots and catapults
• Darts with metal points
• Playground equipment
• Air guns and air pistols
• Kites, except for the electric resistance of their strings, as defined in TCVN 6238-1:2008 (ISO 8124-1:2000)
• Model kits in which the finished products are not designed for play
• Sports, athletic and camping equipment, musical instruments and furniture, but not their toy counterparts.
• Models of vehicles powered by combustion engines, but not their toy counterparts
• Collectible items not intended for children under the age of 16 years
• Ornamental holiday decorations
• Aquatic equipment intended to be used in deep water
• Toys installed in public places (shopping centers, recreational area, arcades, etc.)
• Puzzles with more than 500 pieces or without a picture, intended for specialists
• Fireworks, including percussion caps, except those specifically designed to be toys
• Products containing heating elements intended for use under the supervision of an adult in a teaching context
• Steam engines
• Video toys that can be connected to a video screen, operated at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts
• Pacifiers ("baby dummies")
• Faithful reproductions of real firearms
• Electric ovens, irons or other functional products, operated at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts
• Archery bows with an overall relaxed length exceeding 120 cm
• Fashion jewelry for children