Sex Toy Testing
How do we test and measure sex toys in the sex shop before marketing?
Measuring the hardness of dildos and other erotic toys
Hardness of sex toys we measure C with a durometer on a scale 0-100HC. We can talk about percentages of hardness. It makes no sense to offer or measure sex toys in hardness above 40HC. For the body, that means completely hard.
We measure the hardness of the dildos with a C durometer in several places and average them. We measure the hardness of dildos, vibrators and sex dolls by inserting the 2.5mm tip of the durometer all the way into the rubber and not pushing any further, so as not to measure the mutually compressed rubber. With the official methodology for the C durometer - a load of 4.4, kg we would already be measuring compressed rubber and not have enough range.
C durometer has higher resolution at very soft rubber up to 20HC. For example, a C durometer will measure a range of toys with a hardness of 0.5-10 HC (very soft artificial vagina to realistically soft dildo), while an "A" durometer (also has a scale of 1-100) would measure a single value of 1 AC for all toys in that hardness range.
Human Tissue Response and In-Service Testing
We test the way of use and functionality, e.g. whether the harness really immobilizes or stretches, simply fulfills its purpose.
Dildos are tested for the degree of pull on the skin during friction. Porous PVC dildos pull quite a bit. Non-porous silicone virtually none at all. Exceptionally, some dildos (even those offered by reputable stores or distributors) burn the mucous membrane when it is injured and are not allowed to be sold.
We are testing for resistance to banned gels for the material and to a fairly extreme environment in the rectum. In practice, most devices except condoms can be used with banned gels without damage. Some dildos deform the surface to a slight smoothness or become stained with stool - especially PVC and TPE dildos when using a fat/oil based gel (deer tallow).
The rectal mucosa is also very sensitive to grinding/rounding and is usually used to confirm the tactile test.
For gels, dryness, effects on the mucous membrane, condom and toys are tested.
Authenticity testing of hides and skins by microscope and other methods
more in the article How to recognise genuine leather
Visual and tactile control
Test for surface cleanliness, casting, rounded edges, especially of metal objects - whether they will not cut the mucous membrane, e.g. of metals. Safety of bonding tools so that they do not cut like PVC nylon bonds or tear tissue like commonly supplied carabiners.
Strength tests
It refers to handcuffs, chains, vaginal mirrors, erection rings. They have to withstand an adequate degree of strain. A mirror, for example, should not normally be able to be bent by the contraction of the vagina or anal sphincters.
Odour trail
Only with human senses. Products with a significant trace of plastic, perfume or other odours are not allowed for sale.
Dimensions, weight, noise level
dimensions: meter, sliding scale (for dildos the first indication is the length, sometimes followed by the insertable length in brackets. the last indication is the diameter)
weight: digital scale - net including driver without batteries and charging accessories
Sound of vibrators - about 5 cm from the microphone of the android phone. Measurements at this distance correspond to the manufacturers of various products, although sometimes the values are measured a meter or even 10m from the device (e.g. for commercial refrigeration compressors). Quieter vibrators have 50-60 db, the standard is around 70 db.
Further information
Lab tests are not within our power. For the introduction of aids we concentrate on CE certified products where the presence of harmful substances should be excluded. For SM harnesses/garments, we do not plan to test for the presence of nickel or its release rate in the near future, as these are not products intended for long-term wear within the meaning of the concerned REACH Regulation 1907/2006 EC.
