CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Water Beads to Protect Children

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal safety standard for water beads, aiming to reduce the risk of injury and death among young children. Effective 90 days after publication in the Federal Register, the regulation sets strict limits on the maximum expansion size of water beads and the allowable acrylamide content, a potentially toxic substance. Prominent warning labels will also be required on all packaging.

Water beads—expandable, liquid-absorbing polymers often used in toys and crafts—have been linked to an estimated 6,300 ingestion-related injuries in U.S. emergency rooms between 2017 and 2022, and at least one fatality in 2023. The new rule is a direct response to these incidents and the influx of hazardous imports, particularly from China.

Manufacturers and retailers must now reformulate products, enhance testing and certification, and update packaging to comply with the new standards. Non-compliant products will be subject to recalls and removal from the market. The CPSC urges parents to keep water beads away from young children, store them securely, and supervise play at all times.

For the toy industry, this regulation means immediate action on compliance, supply chain oversight, and consumer education. While it introduces new costs and operational challenges, the standard is expected to restore consumer trust and reduce liability risks, ultimately making the market safer for children.

Source:PR Newswire