Form 4: New Work Item Proposal
Circulation date:2019-05-18
Closing date for voting:2019-08-10

Reference number: NA(to be given by Central Secretariat)

Proposer (e.g. ISO member body or A liaisonorganization)

ISO/TC☒ Proposal for a new PC

SIS, Swedish Standards Institute
Secretariat

N Click here to enter text.

SIS, Swedish Standards Institute

A proposal for a new work item within the scope of an existing committee shall be submitted tothe secretariat of that committee with a copy to the Central Secretariat and, in the case of a
subcommittee, a copy to the secretariat of the parent technical committee. Proposals not within
the scope of an existing committee shall be submitted to the secretariat of the ISO TechnicalManagement Board.
The proposer of a new work item may be a member body of ISO, the secretariat itself, anothertechnical committee or subcommittee, an organization in liaison, the Technical Management
Board or one of the advisory groups, or the Secretary-General.
The proposal will be circulated to the P-members of the technical committee or subcommittee
for voting, and to the O-members for information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Proposals without adequate justification risk rejection or referral tooriginator.
Guidelines for proposing and justifying a new work item are contained in Annex C of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1.
☒ The proposer has considered the guidance given in the Annex C during the preparation of
the NP.
Proposal (to be completed by the proposer)
Title of the proposed deliverable.
English title:
Sex toys — Design and safety requirements for products in direct contact withgenitalia, the anus, or both
French title (if available):

Click here to enter text.
(In the case of an amendment, revision or a new part of an existing document, show
the reference number and current title)

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

Scope of the proposed deliverable.
This document specifies safety and user information requirements relating to thematerials and design for products intended for sexual use.
This document covers only products that are intended to come in direct contact withgenitals and/or the anus.
This document is not primarily intended for products classified as medical devices orassistive products.
Purpose and justification of the proposal*

Click here to enter text.
In a study published 2018 [1] Swedish researchers could see an increase inincidences of objects used for sexual pleasure retained in anus/rectum leading tosevere surgical procedures. This finding was also supported by a systematic review
based on available data which showed that the cases where patients require surgicalextractions has increased across the world. This due the fact that objects used in theanus/rectum where not possible to remove the “natural way”. 40 percent of theseobjects where noted to be sex toys. However, the authors also suggested that the true
figure of sex toy retention is likely even higher than the study suggests, given
reluctance to seek care for a potentially embarrassing condition.
Sex toys are being produced, designed and sold globally, it is a global market with
consumers across the globe. As there currently are no international standards orregulations specifically for these types of products, each manufacturer and retailer are
free to make up their own test method and quality systems, at times based onstandards and rules from documents with similar material or safety perspective, but
not specific to the intended use of the actual product.
This proposed global standard intended for manufacturers, retailers, medical
providers and consumers hopes to reduce incidences where sex toys do to misuse, or
accidents cause unnecessary pain for users, save money for the health care sector
and enables companies to show conformity. This by stating clear requirements for risk
assessment, sufficient user information, outlining safety and quality requirements andproviding recommended design considerations.
[1] Dahlberg, M., Nordberg, M., Pieniowski, E. et al. Int J Colorectal Dis (2019) 34:
181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-018-3125-4
Consider the following: Is there a verified market need for the proposal? What
problem does this standard solve? What value will the document bring to end-users?
See Annex C of the ISO/IEC Directives part 1 for more information.
See the following guidance on justification statements on ISO Connect:
https://connect.iso.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=27590861

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

Please select any UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that thisdeliverable will support. For more information on SDGs, please visit our website
at www.iso.org/SDGs ."☐ GOAL 1: No Poverty☐ GOAL 2: Zero Hunger☒ GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being☐ GOAL 4: Quality Education☐ GOAL 5: Gender Equality☐ GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation☐ GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy☐ GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth☒ GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure☐ GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality☐ GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities☐ GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production☐ GOAL 13: Climate Action☐ GOAL 14: Life Below Water☐ GOAL 15: Life on Land
☐ GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
N/A GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Preparatory work (at a minimum an outline should be included with the proposal)☒ A draft is attachedserve as initial basis☐ An outline is attached ☐ An existing document to

The proposer or the proposer's organization is prepared to undertake the preparatory
work required:
☒ Yes

☐ No

If a draft is attached to this proposal,:Please select from one of the following options (note that if no option is selected, thedefault will be the first option):☐ Draft document will be registered as new project in the committee's work
programme (stage 20.00)☒ Draft document can be registered as a Working Draft (WD – stage 20.20)☐ Draft document can be registered as a Committee Draft (CD – stage 30.00)☐ Draft document can be registered as a Draft International Standard (DIS – stage
40.00)☐ If the attached document is copyrighted or includes copyrighted content, theproposer confirms that copyright permission has been granted for ISO to use thiscontent in compliance with clause 2.13 of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 (see also the
Declaration on copyright).

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

Is this a Management Systems Standard (MSS)?
☐ Yes ☒ No
NOTE: if Yes, the NP along with the Justification study (see Annex SL of theConsolidated ISO Supplement) must be sent to the MSS Task Force secretariat(tmb@iso.org) for approval before the NP ballot can be launched.
Indication(s) of the preferred type or types of deliverable(s) to be produced
under the proposal.
☒ International Standard☐ Technical Specification☐ Publicly Available Specification
Proposed development track☐ 18 months*☐ 24 months☒ 36 months☐ 48 months

Note: Good project management is essential to meeting deadlines. A committee
may be granted only one extension of up to 9 months for the total project
duration (to be approved by the ISO/TMB).
*DIS ballot must be successfully completed within 13 months of the project’s registration in order
to be eligible for the direct publication process

Draft project plan (as discussed with committee leadership)
Proposed date for first meeting: 2019-09-02 Stockholm
Dates for key milestones: DIS submission 2021-07-02
Publication 2022-07-02
Known patented items (see ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 for important guidance)☐ Yes ☒ No

If "Yes", provide full information as annex
Co-ordination of work: To the best of your knowledge, has this or a similar proposal
been submitted to another standards development organization?
☐ Yes ☒ No

If “Yes”, please specify which one(s):Click here to enter text.
A statement from the proposer as to how the proposed work may relate to or
impact on existing work, especially existing ISO and IEC deliverables. The
proposer should explain how the work differs from apparently similar work, or
explain how duplication and conflict will be minimized.
The proposal is specific to sex toys products which are not covered by regulation on
medical devices or marketed as assistive products. There is no existing work for theseproducts.
A listing of relevant existing documents at the international, regional andnational levels.

Click here to enter text.

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

Please fill out the relevant parts of the table below to identify relevant affectedstakeholder categories and how they will each benefit from or be impacted by
the proposed deliverable(s).
Benefits/impacts

Industry and commerce –large industry
Industry and commerce –SMEs

Government

Consumers

LabourAcademic and researchbodiesStandards application
businesses
Non-governmentalorganizations
Other (please specify)

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

Click here to enter text.
The proposed standard will
give serious producers andretailers a tool to show
conformity with a standard
specific for their product, which
may provide sales arguments
and advantage inprocurement.
Many countries lackregulations of sex toys, this
proposed standard can help
authorities to regulate andincrease quality for
consumers.
Reduced incidents will reduce
cost for the public and private
health care systems.
The proposed standard will
benefit consumers as it will bea useful tool for them to ensure
the products have gone
through a risk analysis andpotential risks are mitigated.
Click here to enter text.

Examples oforganizations/companies tobe contacted
Click here to enter text.
Retailers, producers

Consumer authorities

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Increased discussion andattention based on the workwith this standard may lead tomore research on the use of
sex toys around the world.
Today the research is very
limited.
Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Click here to enter text.

Liaisons:

Joint/parallel work:

A listing of relevant external internationalorganizations or internal parties (other ISO
and/or IEC committees) to be engaged as
liaisons in the development of thedeliverable(s).

Possible joint/parallel work with:

Liaison with ISO/TC 157 Non-systemic
contraceptives and STI barrier
prophylactics☐ IEC (please specify committee ID)

Click here to enter text.

☐ CEN (please specify committee ID)

Click here to enter text.

☐ Other (please specify)

Click here to enter text.

A listing of relevant countries which are not already P-members of thecommittee.

Note: The committee secretary shall distribute this NP to the countries listed above to
see if they wish to participate in this work
Proposed Project Leader (name ande-mail address)

Name of the Proposer(include contact information)

Johan Arrhenius, ja@ticklervibes.com

Anna Sjögren, SIS, Swedish
Standards Institute.
Anna.sjogren@sis.se

Click here to enter text.
This proposal will be developed by:☐ An existing Working Group (please specify which one: Click here to enter text.)☐ A new Working Group (title: Click here to enter text.)(Note: establishment of a new WG must be approved by committee resolution)☐ The TC/SC directly☒ To be determined
Supplementary information relating to the proposal☒ This proposal relates to a new ISO document;☐ This proposal relates to the adoption as an active project of an item currently
registered as a Preliminary Work Item;☐ This proposal relates to the re-establishment of a cancelled project as an active
project.
Other:

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FORM 4 – New work item proposal
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Maintenance agencies and registration authorities☐ This proposal requires the service of a maintenance agency. If yes, please
identify the potential candidate:

Click here to enter text.
☐ This proposal requires the service of a registration authority. If yes, please
identify the potential candidate:

Click here to enter text.
NOTE: Selection and appointment of the MA or RA is subject to the procedure outlinedin the ISO/IEC Directives, Annex G and Annex H, and the RA policy in the ISO
Supplement, Annex SN.
☒ Annex(es) are included with this proposal (give details)
The draft
Additional information/questions

Click here to enter text.

FORM 4 – New work item proposal
Version 09/2018

© ISO #### – All rights reserved

ISO #####-ISO TC ###/SC ##/WG #Secretariat: XXXX

Title Sex toys —Safety requirements for products in direct contact
with genitalia, anus or both

WD/CD stage
Warning for WDs and CDs

This document is not an ISO International Standard. It is distributed for review and comment. It is subject tochange without notice and may not be referred to as an International Standard.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights ofwhich they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.

To help you, this guide on writing standards was produced by the ISO/TMB and is available athttps://www.iso.org/iso/how-to-write-standards.pdf
A model manuscript of a draft International Standard (known as “The Rice Model”) is available athttps://www.iso.org/iso/model_document-rice_model.pdf

© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO 2018

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of thispublication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission
can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org

Published in Switzerland© ISO #### – All rights reserved

1ISO #####-#:####(X)Contents
Foreword .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1

Scope .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2

Normative references .......................................................................................................................................... 5

3

Terms and definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 5

4 General requirements for risk management ............................................................................................... 6
4.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Risk analysis process............................................................................................................................................ 6
4.3 Risk analysis ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
4.4 Risk analysis criteria ............................................................................................................................................ 6
4.5 Risk mitigation ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.6 Post market control .............................................................................................................................................. 7
5 Design requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 7
5.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Mechanical hazards .............................................................................................................................................. 7
5.2.1 Prevention of retaining ................................................................................................................................. 7
5.2.2 Products for genital enclosure ................................................................................................................... 8
5.2.3 Moving and removable parts ...................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Vibration ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.4 Electrical safety ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.4.1 Electrical stimulation ..................................................................................................................................... 8
5.5 Surface temperature............................................................................................................................................. 8
5.6 Design requirements for products that transmit information ............................................................. 8
5.7 Design requirement for wireless remote controlled products ............................................................. 9
5.8 Surfaces, corners, edges and protruding parts ........................................................................................... 9
6 Materials ................................................................................................................................................................... 9
6.1 General ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Biocompatibility and toxicity ............................................................................................................................ 9
6.3 Cleaning and maintenance ................................................................................................................................. 9
7 User information................................................................................................................................................. 10
7.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................... 10
7.2 Content of user information on product .................................................................................................... 10
7.3 Packaging............................................................................................................................................................... 10
7.4 Additional user information ........................................................................................................................... 10
Annex A (informative) Risk analysis method ................................................................................................. 11
Annex B (informative) Design considerations based on anatomy ........................................................... 12
B.1 Background to problem formulation ........................................................................................................... 12
B.2 Small......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
B.3 Medium ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
B.4 Large ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 16

2© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technicalcommittee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. Internationalorganizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters ofelectrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance aredescribed in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for thedifferent types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with theeditorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject ofpatent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does notconstitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms andexpressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World
Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee [or Project Committee] ISO/TC [or ISO/PC] ###,
[name of committee], Subcommittee SC ##, [name of subcommittee].

This second/third/… edition cancels and replaces the first/second/… edition (ISO #####:####), which
has been technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:— xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxx

A list of all parts in the ISO ##### series can be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

© ISO #### – All rights reserved

3ISO #####-#:####(X)Introduction
Sex toys are produced, marketed and sold in most countries in the world. They are a type of product thatis in touch with physically sensitive parts of the body and is also a sensitive product for the user to reportproblems with. Creating an international standard for sex toys regarding design, materials and user
information would help both user, producers and re-sellers to make sure that the sex toys on the market
are safe to use and that the user has enough information on how to use them correctly.

This standard aims to ensure that the design of sex toys minimizes the risk of injuries to the user, that thematerials are safe to use in contact with genitalia/anus or both, and also that there is sufficient andcorrect information provided to the user. In case incidents occur, due to misuse or inadequate design ofsex toys this standard aims to facilitate safe removal of retained products by medical providers.
The requirements in this document are to be followed by manufactures of sex toys. However, all parties
in the supply chain may benefit from using this document as guidance.

4© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved

Title Sex toys —Safety requirements for products in direct contact
with genitalia, anus or both
1 ScopeThis document specifies safety and user information requirements relating to the materials and designfor products intended for sexual use.
This document covers only products that are intended to come in direct contact with genitals and/or theanus.
This document is not primarily intended for products classified as medical devices or assistive products.

2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 55014-1 Electromagnetic compatibility - Requirements for household appliances, electric tools andsimilar apparatus - Part 1: Emission

EN 55014-2 Electromagnetic compatibility - Requirements for household appliances, electric tools andsimilar apparatus - Part 2: Immunity - Product family standard

IEC 60335-1 Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 1: General requirements

IEC 60335-2-29 Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-29: Particular requirements
for battery chargers
ISO 10993-5 Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1 intended use
use for which a product is intended according to the specifications, instructions, and information
provided by the manufacturer
Source: ISO 14971:2012 term 2.5 (modified)

3.2 risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm

[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, definition 3.2]

© ISO #### – All rights reserved

5ISO #####-#:####(X)

3.3 manufacturer
a natural or legal person who manufactures or fully refurbishes a device or has a device designed,
manufactured, or fully refurbished, and markets that device under its name or trademark;Note to entry 1: Using a third party or subcontractor does not reduce the legal responsibilities of the
manufacturer nor does it move legal responsibilities to the third party or subcontractor.
Note to entry 2: Importing a product constitutes the same legal responsibility as of a manufacturer.

4 General requirements for risk management
4.1 General

The safety of the product shall be assessed based on a risk analysis identifying potential risks associatedwith the intended use of the product, from the design phase until disposal of the product.

4.2 Risk analysis process

The manufacturer shall establish, document, and maintain throughout the life-cycle an ongoing process
for identifying hazards associated with a sex toy, estimating and evaluating the associated risks,
controlling these risks, and monitoring the effectiveness of the risk controls post market phase.
A risk management and analysis process can be part of the quality management system. That enables
early detection of potential risks associated with the product, its intended use and foreseeable misuse.
NOTE:
Recommended
methodforrisk
analysisBased on risk management standards ISO 14971 and others.

isdescribed

in

Annex

A

4.3 Risk analysis
The manufacturer shall document any known or foreseeable hazards, or misuse associated with a sex toy.
A risk estimation is performed for each hazardous situation identified. For each identified hazardous
situation, the associated risk(s) shall be estimated using available information or data. For hazardous
situations for which the probability of the occurrence of harm cannot be estimated, the possible
consequences shall be listed for use in risk evaluation and risk control. The result of these activities shallbe documented.

4.4 Risk analysis criteria
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Physical hazards
Biocompatibility
Biological (Micro biological evaluation)
Use/Misuse
Degradation of components
User information
Transportation/Storage
Environmental hazards

This list is fundamental, however other criteria may be analysed by the manufacturer.

4.5 Risk mitigation•
6

Design© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved••

Production and process control
User information (including labelling and instructions for use)

4.6 Post market control

The manufacturer shall establish, document and maintain a system to collect and periodically review
information about the sex toy in the production and the post market phases. This enables the
manufacturer to conduct field corrective actions on individual production batches, if required.

5 Design requirements
5.1 General

All products shall be designed based on the intended use. As an integrated part of the design process,requirement specifications and risk assessment procedures shall be conducted to prevent any harm or
discomfort.
Especially products used on or in the anus, shall be designed so that the risk of retaining the product in
the anal canal or rectum is minimized. If the product is inserted into the anus, methods of safely extracting
it by the user is to be preferred over methods requiring medical expertise.

In case medical expertise is needed to extract retained objects or products, a common problem is thatthey cannot be grasped with fingers or instruments generally used for anal or rectal medical procedures.
Objects which are not small enough to pass like stool often need surgical attention. Medium sized objects
are usually too large to be passed naturally but can be removed if possible to grasp. Large objects areusually difficult to remove because of the force required to extract them is considerable. A large object isalso more likely to cause pressure ulceration and perforation of the bowel wall.
In this document small products are maximum 4 cm in length and in diameter no more than 2,5 cm.
Medium size products are maximum 12 cm in length and no more than 3,5 cm in diameter.
Large products are over 12 cm in length and over 3,5 cm in diameter.

5.2 Mechanical hazards
5.2.1

Prevention of retaining

A sex toy shall have sufficient mechanisms and design to prevent retaining in the vagina, anus, or rectum
during its intended use or foreseeable misuse.

Manufactures shall make a risk assessment, including considering anatomical design consideration
described in Annex B, to find appropriate means of mitigation of the risk of retention. This shall be
confirmed by using, as appropriate, references to relevant clinical and/or scientific literature in addition
to requirements in this standard.
Medium and large products shall have design features preventing them from being inserted further thanintended.
Examples: anal plugs, anal beads, anal dildos

Medium and large products shall have design features making it possible to extract if retained.
Examples: Loops, strings, or accessible edges© ISO #### – All rights reserved

7

ISO #####-#:####(X)5.2.2

Products for genital enclosure

A sex toy intended for enclosing genitals such as, penis ring, chastity devices, etc., shall be safely
removable by the user. If genitals are trapped and the user unable to remove the device, the material
strength (hardness) and the dimensions of the enclosing part shall allow safe removal with common
household tools such as pliers. They shall not require the use of power tools for removal.

5.2.3

Moving and removable parts

If the product is designed with removable parts, these parts shall not be possible to remove without theuse of a tool.
Example: sex machine with replaceable dildos

5.3 Vibration

Hazards and nuisance from vibration shall be assessed in the risk analysis.

Manufacturers shall evaluate any vibration from powered sex toys in the intended environment(s) of use.

NOTE: Manufacturers should consider standards relating to the effects of vibration, for example ISO
2631-1; ISO 5349-1; ISO 5349-2

If a product vibrates more than xxx (to be defined) manufactures shall include an automatic time limit orclearly state maximum time of duration.

5.4 Electrical safety

Any product with electrical power shall comply to the following standards EN 55014-1, EN 55014-2, IEC
60335-1, IEC 60335-2-29.
This includes the charging of the product as well.
5.4.1

Electrical stimulation

Products intended to stimulate genitals via electric impulses shall be risk assessed by qualified third party
and deemed safe to use.

5.5 Surface temperature

The risk analysis shall identify hazards and evaluate the risks associated with the surface temperature ofparts which can come into contact with human body during the intended use.
The maximum surface temperature should not exceed 41 C and shall never exceed 48 C.
If the product exceeds the limit it shall automatically turn off.
NOTE: ISO 13732-1 states thresholds for burn5.6 Design requirements for products that transmit information
Any product that sends or receives information through wireless technology shall have a visual or audial
indicator on the product showing when information is being received or transmitted.
8© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved

5.7 Design requirement for wireless remote controlled products
For any remote controlled product the unit that is in touch with the body shall have a clear and simple
way to turn it off.
Add requirement on products using radio frequency.

5.8 Surfaces, corners, edges and protruding parts
If not required for the intended function of the product all accessible parts shall be smooth and be freefrom burrs and sharp edges.

6 Materials
6.1 General

Manufacturers should, whenever possible, use materials that can be recycled for further use and consider
other environmental aspects of production, i.e. life-cycle-analysis.

6.2 Biocompatibility and toxicity

For any product or following a significant change to the formulation or manufacturing process,biocompatibility assessments shall be conducted.
The ready-to-use product shall be assessed for biocompatibility.

If the product is supplied with any lubricant, dressing material, or powder, these shall be assessed
together with the product.

NOTE: Biocompatibility for medical devices is done in accordance with ISO 10993-1. This standard canbe used as a guidance.

Sex toys are surface devices with repeated contact with mucosa and possibly compromised tissue
surfaces. The tests shall indicate whether the device produces cytotoxicity, sensitization, or mucosal
irritation. Evaluation for cytotoxicity according to ISO 10993-5.
Assessment for irritation and sensitization (delayed contact hypersensitivity) shall be conductedaccording to (refer to annex in new version of 10993-10 under development by ISO/TC 194/WG 8) The
laboratory used for any testing shall comply with the requirements contained in ISO/IEC 17025.
The results shall be interpreted by a qualified toxicologist or any other appropriately qualified expert.
The biological assessment report shall justify that the product is safe for its intended use.

NOTE: It is recommended that the qualified expert is employed by or associated with the testinglaboratory.
All data generated in these investigations shall be made available on request in a procurement process.

6.3 Cleaning and maintenance

The manufacturer shall inform the user about cleaning methods and means for the specific products, inaccordance with the products intended use.
NOTE: Products intended for anal use require sufficient disinfection after use.
© ISO #### – All rights reserved

9ISO #####-#:####(X)

7 User information
7.1 General
User information shall include all information directed to the consumer.

Symbols may be used. If used these shall in correspondence with ISO 7000 (https://www.iso.org/obp/ui)
Marketing information shall be consistent with product information.

7.2 Content of user information on product
Information on the product shall include:••

Clear indication on how to turn the product on and off, if electrical powered
Lot, batch or serial number, as far as possible, if not possible it shall be on the product package

7.3 Packaging

Information on the product packaging shall include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Description of product functionality and intended use, if not self-evident
Specification of material intended to be in contact with genitalia, anus/rectum or both
Information about battery and/or charging (if applicable)
Contact information of the manufacturer, including name, visiting address, telephone and email
Disposal instructions
Compliance with this standard, if applicable
Warnings on how to use or not to use, based on risk assessment

Example: Not for Internal Use/Not for Anal Use etc.

7.4 Additional user information

Information on or inside the product packaging shall include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Operating instructions (if applicable)
Storage instructions
Cleaning instructions
Information about compatibility with other materials (lubricants, oils etc)
Warranty information
Guidelines/recommendations on maximum usage time/frequency (if applicable)
Descriptions of physical symptoms when not to use/stop using (if applicable)
Information on when not to use/consult with physician before using
Information on when not to use the product

Example: material damage, malfunctioning product, product heating up etc.
•

Handling of information transmitted by the product

Example: wireless products

10© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved

Annex A
(informative)

Risk analysis method
To be written.

© ISO #### – All rights reserved

11ISO #####-#:####(X)Annex B(informative)
Design considerations based on anatomy
B.1 Background to problem formulation
The following text is a literature review of data available and the background to why this standardization
project emerged and base for the requirements mentioned in this document.

Retained foreign rectal objects can be a cause of emergency hospital admission and may require surgicalremoval. In addition to sometimes presenting a challenging surgical removal, foreign bodies can cause
rectal or anal bleeding, and perforations of the rectum [1], and a classification scheme [2] of these injuries
is presented below.
Category 1–Retained foreign body without injury,
Category 2–Non-perforative mucosal laceration,
Category 3–Sphincter injury

Category 4–Recto-sigmoid perforation

Bleeding, perforation, sphincter injury, and mucosal lacerations are managed by the examining physician
with a number of techniques, but central to the management is the removal of the foreign body.
Common problems with retained objects are that they cannot be grasped by the medical service
provider’s fingers or by tools and instruments commonly used for anal or rectal medical procedures.
Beyond manual retrieval under local anesthesia, with or without the aid of rigid tubes(anoscope/rectoscope) and forceps, obstetric instruments and vacuum delivery systems, endoscopic
methods like flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy allow access to the entire large bowel and allow close
inspection of damage once the foreign body is removed. The armamentarium for endoscopic techniques
includes biopsy forceps (closed jaws usually fit in a 2 mm channel through the endoscope, open jaws are
3-7 mm) that can be used to grab, and snares and loops that can be put around objects.

Objects that are difficult to grab onto, i.e., not designed with loops, strings, or accessible edges, which arelarge enough to pass from the rectum to the sigmoid colon above, or which are too hard to grab withforceps, present challenges for removal. When objects can’t be grasped from below, or if perforation of
the bowel is suspected, a laparotomy (opening the abdomen through an incision) is sometimes required
to evacuate the object or surgically repair the perforated bowel. The use of laparotomy is a last resort forremoving objects, but is usually indicated if a perforation into the abdomen is suspected. A systematic
review described 193 patients from 1950–2009, mostly from case reports3. The only large, registerbased study (648 patients from Japan), reported that laparotomy was required in 15% of patients [4],whereas hospital-based case series report 0% to 50% (Table 1).
Table 1 - Hospital-based case series describing patients with transanally induced retained
foreign rectal objects.

Author, year

12Country

Time period

Numberofpatients

Number(%)
extractionbytransabdominal
approach© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved
Barone 1976

USA

1970-1974

23

0 (0)

Crass 1981

USA

1975-1980

18

4 (22)

Barone 1983

USA

1978-1981

35

1 (3)

Nehme Kingsley 1985

USA

1976-1984

51

1 (2)

Yaman, 1993

Canada1975-1990

22

0 (0)

Cohen, 1996

USA

1983-1994

48

5 (10)

Kouraklis, 1997

Greece1981-1994

18

1 (6)

Ooi, 1998

Singapore

1989-199730

3 (10)

Biriukov, 2000

Russia1969-1998

112

5 (4)

Ruiz, 2001

Spain

1980-2000

17

7 (41)

Huang 2003

Taiwan1997-2000

12

4 (33)

Lake, 2004

USA

1993-2002

87

8 (9)

Clarke, 2005

South
Africa1995-

12

5 (42)

UK

2001-2004

16

1 (6)

Rodriguez-Hermosa, 2007

Spain

1997-200416

2 (12)

Volpi, 2012

Italy

2007-201010

2 (20)

Coskun, 2013

Turkey1999-200915

3 (20)

Ayantunde, 2006

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Yildiz, 2013

Turkey1998-2013

25

2 (8)

Cawich, 2017

TrinidadandTobago2009-201410

5 (50)

2009-2017

85

8 (9)

Dahlberg, 2018

SwedenTo aid in the discussion of sex toy designs and the potential risks in anal use, we present a classification
based on the size of the object. This classification is a general guide based on the normal anatomy andphysiology of the human anus and rectum.

B.2 Small

Small objects are those that should pass with normal bowel movement. Based on measurements of anal
distension, where the passive sphincter stretching begins at 1 cm and increases to 65% of the maximalbasal pressure at 3 cm anal distension [5], the dimension of these objects is length 4 cm and in diameter2-2.5 cm [3].

The risk of perforation is low as pressure on adjacent tissue is low. The risk of sphincter injury must also
be considered low.
In the classification above, small objects are mostly at risk of Category 1, i.e., risk of retaining without
injury to the user.

B.3 Medium

Medium sized object is between 4 cm and 10-12 cm in their longest dimension. The upper limit for objects
defined as medium size are those that risk entering the sigmoid colon from the rectum, as these objects
do not fit the pelvis and there are not sufficient counterforces to prevent the object from ascending into
the sigmoid colon or upper rectum (upper limit usually approximately 15 cm from the anal verge). Such
objects have an increased risk of laparotomy. Objects shorter than approximately 10 cm can adapt a lie
perpendicular to the anal canal, but are reached readily with the examiner's fingers, and if they can be
grabbed are usually easily removed. With increasing width/thickness the objects become more difficult
to control once above the anal canal, as they increasingly fill the lumen of the rectum. The risk of retainingis therefore considerable in the medium sized objects (Category 1), and mitigating design elements could
be string or loops that enable endoscopic/rectoscopic evacuation or designs with a marked base or flarethat makes inserting the object entirely more difficult.

The risk of perforation (Category 2 and possibly Category 4) in this group increases when the diameteris either small (e.g., leading point with a curvature less than 1 cm in diameter) or large (due to pressure
on the intestinal wall). The risk of sphincter injury (Category 3) increases with increasing diameter. As
damage to the anal sphincters has been seen in a significant subgroup (16%) upon dilation to 4 cm during
medical procedures [4], a safe maximal diameter should not exceed 3-3.5 cm. This estimate is not precise:dilation under anesthesia without preserved pain reaction to dilation could increase the risk of sphincter
damage compared with the setting of presumed arousal. There is a considerable disagreement between
current (2019) sexual practice and this recommendation based on the available medical literature.

14© ISO #### – All rights reserved© ISO #### – All rights reserved

B.4 Large

Large objects are longer than 12 cm, and the centre of the object will risk pivoting the object from a sacral
lie into the abdomen (sigmoid lie). As objects in the rectum follow the basic tilt of the rectum, which is
directed backward along the sacrum before turning forward and upward, linear objects beyond
approximately 12 cm straighten the rectum upon being inserted, and risk ascending because they do not
fit the sacral part of the rectum. As these objects are long enough to displace the intestinal wall and go
into the abdominal part of the bowel, they are more difficult to manoeuvre with the rectoscope orendoscope. When such objects are also thick enough to fill the lumen of the intestine, they are difficult tograsp reliably. Exerting enough force through endoscopic instruments onto the object edge, combinedwith the need for a good hold makes extraction difficult. To prevent retaining, these objects need designs
that prevent the object from being fully inserted into through the anus. Flares or large bases are required.
The risk of perforation is significant in thick and long objects, as they assert pressure on the bowel wall,
both on vigorous insertion and in prolonged retention. The risk of sphincter injury, as described for
medium sized objects, increases with increasing diameter, and diameters in excess of 3.5 cm could put
the user at risk.
Large objects can subject the user to all of the risks listed above (Category 1-4).

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Bibliography[1] Goldberg JE, Steele SR. Rectal Foreign Bodies. Surg Clin North Am. 2010 Feb 1; 90: 173–184.

[2] Barone JE, Yee J, Nealon TF. Management of foreign bodies and trauma of the rectum. Surg Gynecol
Obstet. 1983 Apr; 156: 453–457.

[3] Kurer MA, Davey C, Khan S, Chintapatla S. Colorectal foreign bodies: a systematic review. Colorectal
disease: the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.
2010;12(9):851-61.

[4] Odagiri H, Yasunaga H, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Iizuka T, Kaise M. Difference in Outcomes of Rectal
Foreign Bodies between Males and Females: A Retrospective Analysis of a National Inpatient Database inJapan. Digestion. 2015;92(3):165-70.

[5] Lestar B, Penninckx F, Kerremans R. The composition of anal basal pressure. An in vivo and in vitro
study in man. Int J Colorectal Dis. 1989; 4: 118–122.

[6] Griffin R, McGwin G Jr (2009) Sexual stimulation device-related injuries. J Sex Marital Ther 35(4):253–
261

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