On May 18, 2020, the World Trade Organization (WTO)
circulated a notification by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
(ACCC) signalling its intention to update the four mandatory safety standards for
toys containing magnets.
Released under WTO document number 20-3634, the
proposal requires children’s toys containing magnets to comply with any of the
following standards:
- AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 ‘Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties’
- ASTM F963-17 ‘Standard consumer safety specification for toy safety’
- 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’
Children’s toys are regulated by several mandatory
safety standards in Australia. These cover physical and mechanical properties,
as well as chemical properties and labelling requirements. Toys containing
magnets are covered in Consumer Protection Notice No. 5 of 2010.
In addition, toys and childcare articles are
prohibited if they contain more than 1% of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP),
according to Consumer Protection Notice No. 11 of 2011.
Other mandatory safety standards 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’ (including finger paints)
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 2 of 2009 ‘Flotation and aquatic toys’
- Consumer Protection Notice No. 16 of 2010
‘Projectile toys’
The proposed revision to the standard will be
adopted the day after registration, with a transition period of twelve months
before it enters into force.
SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with
relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They
provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit, and
inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations
worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being
brought to the market. Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with
the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Australia Proposes to Update
Mandatory Safety Standards for Toys Containing Magnets SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and
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and integrity. With more than 94,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over
2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.