Sources, and what each one supports

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

16 CFR Part 1501, small parts in toys and children's articles
Read 9 August 2026

• Section 1501.2 applies the rule to toys and other articles intended for use by children under three years of age, and lists examples from squeeze toys and teethers to blocks, stacking sets and preschool puzzles.
• Section 1501.4 sets the test: an article fails if it fits entirely within the Commission's test cylinder in any orientation, and detached components are tested the same way.
• Section 1501.3 exempts a specific list, including balloons, articles made of paper, writing materials such as crayons, chalk, pencils and pens, grooming items such as barrettes, modelling clay, and paint sets.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

16 CFR 1500.19, cautionary labelling for balls, balloons and marbles
Read 9 August 2026

• A small ball is defined as one that passes, in any orientation and under its own weight, entirely through a circular hole 1.75 inches across in a rigid template a quarter of an inch thick.
• A latex balloon is defined as a toy or decorative item consisting of a latex bag designed to be inflated, and inflatable aquatic items such as swim rings are excluded from that definition.
• The words WARNING or SAFETY WARNING are the signal words, CHOKING HAZARD is the statement of the principal hazard, and the cautionary statement has to appear on a solid background.

How we read them

Both were opened and read in full before anything was written against them. The safety information on this site is general guidance about which rules exist and what they test. It is not a compliance statement about any individual product, and the labelling on the packaging is the legal statement.