CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

Japan: Regulations for high-powered magnets and expanding toys published

JUNE 2023 - HARDLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has issued regulations adding two products¹ to Appended Table 1 of the Consumer Product Safety Law Enforcement Ordinance, which designates specific products under the Consumer Product Safety Law².

The regulations entered into force on 19 June 2023. A 6-month transition period has been granted before the regulations will be fully implemented.

The two new specified products are:
- Recreational goods made of high-powered magnets (magnet sets)
- Toys made of water-absorbent synthetic resin (expanding toys)
Products designated as “specified products” under the Consumer Product Safety Law cannot be manufactured, imported, or sold unless they have the PSC mark indicating that they comply with the technical standards³ stipulated by the law.

To show compliance, the small individual magnets or parts using magnets must not exceed the magnetic flux, and the "expanding toys" must not swell beyond the swelling rate stipulated in the technical standards.

In addition to being sold as a toy, it is also clarified⁴ that “magnet sets” marketed with descriptions such as "Stress Relief for 14 and over" are subject to the new regulations.


[1] Order for Revising the Enforcement of the Consumer Products Safety Act

[2] Enforcement Order of Consumer Products Safety Act

[3] Consumer Products Safety Act Implementation Guide, June 2023

[4] FAQ, 17 May 2023

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