Australia has issued new legislation for toys containing magnets. These toys must comply with the new requirements from August 28, 2021.
In Australia, children’s toys are regulated by several mandatory safety standards. These mandatory safety standards, which address physical and mechanical properties, chemical properties and/or labeling requirements, include:
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 14 of 2003, as amended by Consumer Protection No. 1 of 2005 ‘Toys for children up to and including 36 months of age’
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 1 of 2009 ‘Lead and certain elements’ (this standard includes finger paints)
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010 ‘Toys containing magnets’
- Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2020
- Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020
These mandatory safety standards reference certain toy safety standards for compliance with their requirements.
On August 27, 2020, Australia registered ‘Consumer Goods (Toys Containing Magnets) Safety Standard 2020’ – an instrument to update the mandatory safety standard for toys containing magnets.
The new instrument mandates toys containing magnets to comply with specific clauses in one of four existing toy safety standards:
- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties’
- EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties’
- ISO 8124-1:2018 ‘Safety of Toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties’
- ASTM F963-17 ‘Standard consumer safety specification for toy safety’
The new instrument became effective on August 28, 2020 – toys containing magnets must comply with the new legislation 12 months thereafter.
Until August 27, 2021, children’s toys containing magnets can comply with either the Consumer Product Safety Standard for Children’s Toys Containing Magnets (Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010) or the new instrument. From August 28, 2021, these toys must comply with the new instrument
Highlights of the new instrument are summarized in Table 1.
| Scope | New Instrument | Existing Instrument | Compliance Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toys containing magnets* | Consumer Goods (Toys Containing Magnets) Safety Standard 2020 | Consumer Product Safety Standard for Children’s Toys Containing Magnets (Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010) | Until August 27, 2021: New or existing instrument From August 28, 2021: New instrument |
| *The following are exempt: bicycles, camping goods, electronic game units, fashion jewelry, home and public playground equipment, models powered by combustion or steam engines, sporting goods and trampolines | |||
Table 1
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