LED glow sticks, light‑up spinning tops, star‑projector toys, luminous electronic pets — these popular electric toys share one key feature: built‑in light‑emitting components.
Light‑emitting effects greatly enhance play experience, yet they bring non‑negligible safety risks. Children have more transparent eye lenses than adults, making their retinas far more sensitive to optical radiation. The same light radiation can pose significantly higher hazards to children than to adults.
IEC 62115 sets the global benchmark safety framework for electric toys and defines complete technical requirements to control optical‑radiation risks. For exporting manufacturers, passing IEC 62115 testing is an essential prerequisite for accessing international markets.
01 What is the IEC 62115 Standard?
IEC 62115 is the international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): Safety of electric toys. It applies to products intended for children under 14 years old whose operation relies on at least one electrical function.
Power sources for these toys may include batteries, transformers, solar cells, inductive coupling and other supply forms.
Current valid version: IEC 62115:2017+AMD1:2025 CSV (Second Edition including 2025 amendment), with its stability date extended to 2028.
Corresponding Chinese national standard: IEC 62115 has been identically adopted as GB 19865 Safety of electric toys in China (the latest revision is under development).
Note: This standard covers safety aspects related to the electrical functions of electric toys. If a product is classified as a toy or an article accessible to children and integrates laser or LED light sources, it shall also comply with the optical‑radiation safety clauses of IEC 62115.
02 Core Requirements for Optical Radiation Safety
Optical‑radiation safety specifications of IEC 62115 are mainly specified in Normative Annex E. Major revisions were introduced in the 2017 second edition:
‑ Expanded evaluation scope: Earlier editions focused mainly on lasers and LEDs; the revised standard covers all toys equipped with optical‑radiation sources.
‑ Flexible compliance pathways: Manufacturers are permitted to use validated LED datasheets to calculate the Accessible Emission Limit (AEL), simplifying assessment procedures. Direct physical measurement remains an alternative compliance route.
‑ Fundamental rule: Under both normal‑use conditions and reasonably foreseeable child‑abuse conditions, the optical radiation emitted by the toy shall not exceed safety limits.
03 Product Scope Requiring IEC 62115 Optical Radiation Testing
The optical‑radiation safety requirements of IEC 62115 apply to the following categories of electrically powered toys:
‑ LED‑illuminated toys: LED glow sticks, luminous bracelets, light‑up spinning tops, LED‑string toys and more
‑ Fibre‑optic toys: Fibre‑optic glowing dolls and fibre‑optic decorative toys
‑ Projection toys: Star‑sky projection toys and cartoon‑image projector toys
‑ Electronic toys with integrated light sources: Luminous electronic pets, flash‑enabled remote‑control toys, light‑up musical toys
‑ Toy guns with light sources: Toy guns fitted with laser aiming modules or illumination functions
04 Key Test Items
In accordance with IEC 62115, optical‑radiation safety testing focuses on the following evaluation dimensions:
Optical‑radiation risk group assessmentDrawing on the evaluation methodology of IEC 62471 (Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems), testers conduct comprehensive assessments covering retinal blue‑light hazard, retinal thermal hazard, near‑ultraviolet eye hazard, as well as ultraviolet hazards to eyes and skin. Children’s toys are generally required to achieve the risk‑free RG0 risk group.
Laser‑product safety requirementsToys incorporating laser sources shall satisfy the Class 1 requirements of IEC 60825‑1, with strict limits on laser wavelength, output power, pulse characteristics and other parameters.
Accessibility evaluation of light sourcesEvaluate whether light‑emitting components can be easily accessed by children. Light‑emitting parts shall be designed so that children cannot readily disassemble them to expose internal light sources. Abuse tests simulating real‑child behaviours such as dropping, biting and pulling are performed to verify light‑source accessibility.
Abnormal‑operation testingSimulate fault conditions such as low‑battery status and component failure. Even under abnormal operating modes, the optical‑radiation output of the toy must stay within permitted safety limits.
Labelling and instruction‑manual reviewCheck product packaging and user manuals for adequate safety warnings. Specific warning statements shall be applied for toys containing particular optical‑radiation sources.
05 Testing Procedure and Lead Time
The standard testing and compliance process consists of the following phases:
Phase 1: Product evaluation and document preparationConfirm product specifications and light‑source parameters. Compile technical documents including product specifications, circuit diagrams, BOM (bill of materials), and user manuals. Prepare 2‑3 fully functional production‑representative samples.
Phase 2: Laboratory testingPerform electrical‑safety and optical‑radiation tests per IEC 62115. Two major test modules are included: electrical‑performance tests (input power, heating, abnormal operation, electric strength, etc.) and optical tests (optical‑radiation risk‑group evaluation).
Phase 3: Non‑conformity rectification and report issuanceIn case of test failures, the laboratory provides rectification recommendations. Once rectification is completed and verified, a CNAS‑accredited test report will be issued.
Testing lead time: Standard turnaround is 5‑7 working days. Lead time will be extended for complex products (e.g. remote‑control robots, smart light‑up toys with Bluetooth modules) or where structural modifications are needed.
06 CTNT (Shenzhen Zhongwei Testing Technology)
As a professional third‑party testing laboratory, CTNT delivers comprehensive IEC 62115 optical‑radiation safety testing services for electric‑toy manufacturers:
‑ Rich industry experience: More than ten years of professional‑testing experience, with tens of thousands of completed projects covering industrial, medical and research sectors.
‑ Authoritative qualifications: CMA and CNAS accredited laboratory; reports are widely recognised internationally.
‑ Full‑scope test coverage: Optical‑radiation risk‑group evaluation (RG0‑RG3), laser‑safety verification for Class 1 compliance, labelling review and all related test items.
