CE, ASTM F963, and CPSIA are legal safety certifications, not marketing badges — they require independent lab testing for hazards like choking, toxic chemicals, and electrical faults before a toy can be sold in the EU or US. AI-connected toys carry extra marks too, since a Wi-Fi-enabled teddy bear is also a small electronic device.
The main certifications, at a glance
| Mark | Region | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CE | EU | Overall declaration of compliance with the EU Toy Safety Directive |
| EN71 / EN 62115 | EU | Chemical, mechanical, and electrical safety standards behind the CE mark |
| ASTM F963 | US | Mandatory federal toy safety standard — mechanical, flammability, toxic elements |
| CPSIA | US | Lead/phthalate limits and mandatory tracking labels |
| RED / FCC Part 15 | EU / US | Wireless and radio-equipment rules for connected devices |
| GDPR / COPPA | EU / US | How a connected toy can collect and store a child's voice data |
Why one teddy bear needs so many marks
An AI companion is also a small electronic device, which adds a layer of certification most stuffed animals never need — wireless rules (RED, FCC), chemical restrictions (RoHS, REACH), and data-privacy frameworks (GDPR, COPPA) governing how it collects and stores a child's voice. Ted carries all of the above, plus ISO 9001/14001 and social-compliance audits (BSCI, Sedex, SGS) — the full list is on our security and certifications page. It's also a big part of why this category is under more regulatory scrutiny lately; we cover that in our piece on new AI toy laws and in our look at the Bondu data breach.
How to actually verify before buying
Look for the marks printed on the packaging or listed on the product page, and check that the brand points to a dedicated compliance page rather than a vague "safety tested" claim. For connected toys specifically, also check whether the company discloses what data it collects, whether it uses a camera, and whether it sells data to advertisers — none of which a toy-safety mark alone certifies. Ted's product page and security page list every certification by name.
FAQ
Is ASTM F963 mandatory or voluntary?
Mandatory in the US — since 2024, ASTM F963-23 is federal law under 16 CFR Part 1250.
Why does an AI toy need RED or FCC certification?
Because it has wireless components (Wi-Fi, microphone, speaker), which fall under radio-equipment rules on top of standard toy safety rules.
Do GDPR and COPPA certify toy safety?
No — they govern data privacy: how a connected toy can collect, store, and use a child's voice.