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Products the mandatory standard applies to
The mandatory standard applies to toys that are supplied:
- new and are designed or intended for use in play by a child under 14 years old
- with one or more magnets or magnetic components.
Products the mandatory standard does not apply to
The mandatory standard doesn’t apply to:
- sporting goods
- camping goods
- bicycles
- home and public playground equipment
- trampolines
- electronic game units
- models powered by combustion or steam engines
- fashion jewellery.
Complying with the mandatory standard
This information is an overview of how to comply with the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.
View the full detail of the mandatory standard.
Design and construction
The mandatory standard sets design and construction requirements to prevent a child from accessing small magnets. This includes testing to make sure a magnet won’t separate from the toy during play.
The only toys allowed to contain loose, small high-powered magnets are magnetic or electrical experimental sets intended for children 8 years and over.
Warning requirements
The mandatory standard sets out warning requirements to accompany magnetic or electrical experimental sets with loose, small high-powered magnets intended for children 8 years and older.
These warnings alert parents and carers to the risk of swallowing small hazardous magnets.
Mandatory standard details
The Consumer Goods (Toys Containing Magnets) Safety Standard 2020 sets out the mandatory requirements for children’s toys containing magnets.
The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.
Toys containing magnets must comply with the relevant sections of one of the following 4 standards:
- Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 Safety of toys Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
- European standard EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 Safety of toys - Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties
- International standard ISO 8124-1:2018 Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
- US standard ASTM F963 - 17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.
You can buy these standards from Intertek Inform, Accuris or ISO.
We can make a copy of these standards available for viewing at an ACCC office, subject to licensing conditions.
When a product does not comply
Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard. For more information, see fines and penalties.
Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.
