The Australian Government has published a Consumer Protection Notice No.5 of 2010 to regulate the mandatory standard of children's toys containing magnets. Effective from 1 July, 2010, children's toys containing magnets shall comply with clause 4.28 of AS/NZS ISO 8124:2002 Part 1 and Amendment 2 of AS/NZS ISO 8124.1 published by Standards Australia.
The Challenge:
The packaging and instructions of toys which contain loose as-received hazardous magnets or components shall display the following statement or with similar meaning:
"Warning! The product contains small magnet(s). Swallowed magnets can stick
together across intestines causing serious infections and death. Seek immediate
medical attention if magnet(s) are swallowed or inhaled."
Toys shall not liberate hazardous magnet or magnetic component after being tested for normal and reasonably foreseeable use and abuse test.
Definition of hazardous magnet:
A magnet which has a flux index greater than 50kG2mm2 and which is in any of the following shapes and sizes is defined as a hazardous magnet:
- A cylinder with a length of not more than 32mm and a diameter of not more than 11mm;
- A disk with a diameter of not more than 26mm and a thickness of not more than 5mm;
- A sphere with a diameter of not more than 22mm;
- Any solid that fits entirely within the volume or envelop of any of the above defined shapes.
The Solution:
Intertek's commitment is to deliver innovative solutions to facilitate our customers' success in the global marketplace. By leveraging our local services and global network, we enable our customers to dedicate their primary energies to their core business activities. We offer comprehensive programs and services which draw on our industry specific knowledge and technical expertise.