SG 22/24
In December 2023 the EU Commission published a note clarifying that small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits are toys, even if they are intended for adults.
Recently the coordinated EU surveillance authorities have run a project investigating the safety of small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits. Classification of these items is a problem. The authorities see products that are marketed for adults only, but in 2012 they had already agreed that small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits were toys, even if they were intended for adults.
The risk of too strong magnets is that if more than one is swallowed, they attract each other within the child’s body, which can cause intestinal obstruction and perforation.
Another observation made during the surveillance action was that for some types of magnets, the test method as specified in EN 71-1 may need to be revised. The problem is that currently only one magnet is tested, while the different balls may have a different magnetic flux index. This could be due to differences in the thickness of the applied magnetic coating. The method also does not require the measuring of the magnetic flux index in cases where magnets are used together. For these aspects the surveillance authorities suggest improving EN 71-1.
In cases where surveillance authorities find small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits (online or in brick-and-mortar shops) on the EU market that do not comply with the toy safety requirements, they have announced they will take immediate action.
For more details please read: EU note small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that your products comply with the EU Toy Safety Directive. We offer training, safety/risk assessment, technical documentation check, labelling review, testing according to harmonized standards, SVHC screening, inspections and audits. We operate the world’s largest network of toy experts and testing facilities – around 30 toy laboratories and certification bodies worldwide, including 3 EU Notified Bodies (France, Germany and Netherlands) and UK Approved Body. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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