Product Safety Alert: Small, High-Powered Magnetic Products (PSA1)
OPSS has issued a Product Safety Alert for small, high-powered magnetic products which have been identified as presenting a risk of serious injury or fatality if two or more magnets are ingested (swallowed). Date of issue: 19th May 2021
Small, high-powered magnetic products
These products present a risk of serious injury or fatality of two or more magnets are ingested (swallowed).
This alert follows reports of serious injuries arising from ingestion of magnets, particularly among children and young people, and the growing use of magnets in products such as executive desk toys, fridge magnets, fake earrings and tongue piercings, drink charms and bucky balls.
OPSS has identified a particular hazard of loose, small, high-powered magnets, in products where they can easily be swallowed and may appeal to children or can pose a general safety risk to consumers.
All magnets when ingested have potential to cause serious internal injury. Further information on risk is contained in the Risk Summary.
Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 toys must be safe before they can be placed on the market. The acceptable maximum level of magnetic flux index for toys is set in the Toy Safety Standard EN71. OPSS is taking action to remove from the market toys that have a magnetic flux index in excess of the acceptable level for this type of product.
OPSS recommends that the acceptable maximum level of magnetic flux index set in that Standard should be applied to any products where there is a risk the magnets may be ingested by a child and is engaging with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure such products are removed from the market or appropriately labelled.
Consumers, local authority trading standards services and businesses are asked to be alert to the potential dangers of accessible small magnets in products and take action, where appropriate, as advised below.
Advised action
Consumers
- Should keep products that contain high powered magnets away from children.
- Should be aware of signs that could indicate accidental ingestion in children like vomiting and stomach pain.
- Should act fast to get immediate medical treatment if it’s believed a magnet has been swallowed.
Businesses
- Must comply with their obligations under product safety law
- Must remove from the market products containing small magnets which breach the safety requirements of the Toy Safety Regulations or the General Product Safety Regulations.
- Must take all reasonable precautions to minimise risk and demonstrate due diligence, e.g. by performing risk assessments
- Are advised to remove from the market any products that breach the magnetic flux index set in Standard EN71 where there is a risk that magnets may be ingested by a child
- Must ensure that clear warnings are included with any products that contain magnets, where there is a risk of ingestion.
Local Authority Trading Standards and Environmental Health in Northern Ireland
- Should identify and take appropriate action against any products where magnets may be ingested by a child, that breach the level of magnetic flux set in standard EN71.
Additional information and resources