FDA and LFGB are the two food-contact standards that matter most when sourcing silicone pet feeding products. FDA (United States) sets extraction limits for rubber articles under 21 CFR 177.2600;
Pet Toy Safety Standards: EN71, ASTM F963, FDA & REACH
Pet toys are not legally required to meet any specific safety standard in the US or EU — no federal or EU agency oversees them the way children’s toys are regulated. In practice, responsible brands still test to ASTM F963, EN71, FDA food-contact rules, and REACH because retailers, marketplaces, and liability demand it. This guide explains what each standard actually covers and which test reports you should request from your manufacturer.
The Truth About Pet Toy Regulation
In the United States, pet toys fall outside the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which regulates products intended for children (APPA — Are Pet Toys Regulated?). No federal agency sets mandatory safety requirements specifically for dog chew toys, squeakers, or balls.
The same is broadly true in the EU: pet toys are not covered by the Toy Safety Directive, so EN 71 is not legally required for them (QIMA — Pet Toy Safety: Market Expectations).
That does not mean compliance is optional. Three forces push brands to self-regulate:
- Retailers and marketplaces. Major retailers and online marketplaces increasingly request safety documentation before accepting pet products.
- Liability. A recalled toy or an injury claim lands on the brand owner, not on the factory.
- Trust. Safety claims are a purchase driver for pet owners, who treat their animals as family members.
ASTM F963: The US Toy Standard
ASTM F963 is the United States’ consumer toy safety standard. For children’s products it is mandatory, enforced by the CPSC (CPSC — Toy Safety Business Guidance); for pet toys it is voluntary — but it is the reference standard many US importers apply anyway.
What it covers:
- Mechanical and physical safety — small parts, sharp edges, points, and structural integrity under use and abuse testing.
- Chemical requirements — limits on heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.) and other substances.
- Flammability — resistance to ignition.
For a dog toy, ASTM F963-style physical testing is the practical core: a dog is harder on a toy than a child is, so mechanical durability testing tells you whether the product will survive real chewing.
EN71: The EU Toy Standard
EN 71 is the European toy safety standard series, divided into parts. The parts most relevant to pet toys are:
- EN 71-1 — mechanical and physical properties.
- EN 71-2 — flammability.
- EN 71-3 — migration of certain elements: it sets limits for 19 elements (including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) that may migrate from the toy’s materials.
EN 71 is not legally required for pet toys, but many pet toy manufacturers test to EN 71-3 in particular, because the chemical migration limits are a practical benchmark for safe materials. When a pet toy brand claims “EN71 tested,” this is normally what they mean.
FDA: Food-Contact Rules for Feeding Products
FDA compliance applies where a pet product touches food or water — not to chew toys as such.
- Bowls, slow feeders, lick mats, and water bottles that hold food or water are food-contact articles. For silicone and rubber, compliance is judged against 21 CFR 177.2600, which sets extractives limits for rubber articles used repeatedly in food contact.
- Edible products — rawhide, treats, chews that are eaten — fall under FDA animal food regulations and are a completely different compliance track.
For a silicone or natural rubber feeding product, the FDA question is food-contact safety: is the material food-grade, and does the test report cover the exact formulation you are ordering? Our guide to FDA vs LFGB for pet products explains the difference between the two food-contact standards and how to verify reports.
REACH and Other Chemical Rules
REACH is the EU regulation on chemicals, and it applies to all products sold in the EU — including pet toys — regardless of whether a product-specific toy standard applies.
- REACH SVHC — substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on the candidate list are restricted and must be declared above certain thresholds.
- RoHS — restricts hazardous substances, mainly relevant for electronic components.
- California Proposition 65 — requires warnings for products sold in California that expose users to listed chemicals. Many US importers request Prop 65 testing or declarations.
For a pet brand, the practical takeaway: ask your manufacturer for a REACH compliance declaration or test report covering the material and pigments used, not just a generic “REACH compliant” statement.
Standards at a Glance
| Standard | Jurisdiction | Legally required for pet toys? | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM F963 | US (CPSC) | No (mandatory only for children’s toys) | Mechanical/physical safety, chemicals, flammability |
| EN 71-1/2/3 | EU | No | Mechanical safety, flammability, migration of 19 elements |
| FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | US | Yes for food-contact products | Extractives limits for food-contact rubber/silicone |
| REACH | EU | Yes (chemicals law) | SVHC restriction and declaration |
| Prop 65 | California | Yes for listed chemicals | Warnings for products exposing users to listed chemicals |
What a Complete Compliance Package Looks Like
When sourcing pet toys or feeding products from a manufacturer, request these documents before production:
- Test report for the material grade — the lab report (SGS, TÜV, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) covering the exact formulation you are ordering, not a generic certificate.
- EN 71-3 or ASTM F963 report — if you plan to claim toy-standard compliance.
- FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 report — for bowls, feeders, lick mats, and other food-contact items.
- REACH declaration or test report — covering material and pigments.
- Material safety data sheet (MSDS) — documentation of the raw material.
- Factory-level certificates — ISO 9001 for quality management, plus social compliance audits if your retail customers require them.
Questions to Ask Your Manufacturer
- “Which standards does your test report cover — EN 71-3, ASTM F963, or FDA food contact?”
- “Does the report cover the exact material grade and color I am ordering, or a different product?”
- “Which lab issued the report, and what is its validity date?”
- “Do you have a REACH declaration for the pigments and additives used?”
- “Can you test a production sample from my order batch, not just the initial sample?”
For the full set of problems to watch for when customizing rubber toys — odor, hardness, tearing, molding defects — see our guide to common problems in custom rubber dog toys.
FAQ
Are pet toys regulated by the government?
In the US, no federal agency sets mandatory safety standards for pet toys — CPSC jurisdiction covers children’s products. In the EU, pet toys fall outside the Toy Safety Directive. Regulation effectively happens through retailer requirements and brand self-regulation.
What does “EN71 tested” mean for pet toys?
It normally means the product was voluntarily tested to the EN 71 standard series, most commonly EN 71-3 for chemical migration of 19 elements. It is not a legal requirement for pet toys, but it is a recognized safety benchmark.
Does my pet bowl need FDA certification?
If the product is used for food or water, yes — it is a food-contact article and the silicone or rubber should meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. If you sell into Europe, check whether your retailer requires the stricter LFGB report instead.
Is REACH compliance required for pet toys?
REACH is a general EU chemicals law, so it applies to everything sold in the EU, including pet toys. Ask for a REACH declaration or test report covering your product’s materials and pigments.
How do I know a supplier’s test report is real?
Check the issuing lab, the issue date and validity, and confirm the tested product name or material grade matches what you are ordering. Request the report PDF rather than accepting a logo or certificate image.
Next Steps
Newtop Pets is a custom silicone and natural rubber pet product manufacturer based in Xiamen, China, with FDA, LFGB, REACH, and ISO 9001-certified production. Our slow feeders, lick mats, feeding bowls, and natural rubber toys are produced under documented quality control, and we support customers with the test reports and declarations their target markets require.
Planning a toy or feeding product for the US or EU market? Talk to our team about your compliance requirements, or learn more about our factory and manufacturing capabilities.
