In today’s digital-first economy, the online shopping experience is more seamless than ever, but it brings a critical responsibility for retailers: ensuring that every product reaching a child’s hands is safe. While online marketplaces provide incredible reach, they also serve as a hub where potentially dangerous toys can inadvertently slip through if rigorous oversight isn't prioritized.
The ACCC’s Stance on Consumer Safety
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued urgent takedown requests to major e-commerce platforms to remove hazardous toys and games that contain high-powered small magnets from their listings.
Under Australian Consumer Law:
- Certain small, high-powered magnets have been subject to a permanent ban since 2012.
- Magnets that are small enough to be swallowed and exceed the prescribed magnetic flux index threshold are prohibited.
- Toys containing magnets must also comply with the mandatory Australian toy safety standard, which requires magnets to remain securely enclosed and inaccessible to children during normal use and abuse testing.
Serious Safety Risks
According to the ACCC, ingestion of multiple high-powered magnets can result in severe and potentially fatal injuries, including:
- Intestinal perforation and tissue damage caused by magnets attracting through internal organs;
- Internal bleeding and bowel obstruction;
- Choking hazards, particularly for young children.
How SGS Can Help
At SGS, we help you transition from reactive compliance to proactive quality assurance. We offer comprehensive product safety assessments, expert analysis to identify hazardous components—such as high-powered magnets—and robust quality control programs tailored to your specific product lines.
Our services include:
- Australian magnet bans compliance assessments
- Magnetic toy safety testing
- Product risk and design reviews
- Regulatory compliance consulting
- Product safety and market access training
Partner with SGS to prioritize safety, uphold your quality standards, and ensure your business stays compliant in an increasingly scrutinized global marketplace.
For more information on our services, please contact our Sales team.
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About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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