CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

EU: Market surveillance on unsafe magnetic gadgets

DECEMBER 2023 - TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

The European Commission and the Administrative Cooperation Group (AdCo) for Toy Safety have recently issued a note¹ regarding market surveillance on high-powered small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits. The note states that small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits are considered toys, even when intended for adults. These products are dangerous when more than one magnet is swallowed, as they can cause a blockage in the intestine, perforate or damage the intestine, and/or cut off the blood supply to parts of the intestine.

These products are subject to the EN 71-1 standard, whether they are toys or non-toys. However, the standard was suggested to be improved by taking into account the measuring the magnetic flux index between several structures of the same toy formed by more than one small magnetic ball and another magnetic element that fit within the small parts cylinder.

The recommendation from market surveillance authorities was intended as a tool to foster the use of the safeguard clause notification procedures under Article 42 of the Toy Safety Directive by market surveillance authorities to take restrictive measures against toys with magnets that could pose a risk.

[1] Notes from market surveillance authorities, 12 December 2023

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