On 26 November 2015, Japan Toy Association (JTA) approved the 5th revision of ST 2012 and put it into effect on 1 January 2016.

Main changes: Part 3 Clause 1.6 test method of formaldehyde was aligned with “Act for the Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances”, ammonium acetate buffer solution should be used instead of using purified water during the absorbance measurement process. However, ST2012 5th revision shall be revised further, new ST 2016 was published.

Main changes as below :

※ Part I: physical and mechanical properties, major changes were made, and the specific security requirements of individual toys was added;

※ Part II: same as ISO 8124-2;

※ Part III: aligned with 5th revision of ST 2012.

The new ST 2016 shall be applied to ST Mark application starting from 1 April 2016, while applicants may choose to apply for ST 2012 5th revision until 31 March 2018.