Australia's consumer watchdog has launched a crackdown on the sale of potentially deadly children's toys and games. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it is investigating the sale and supply of dangerous magnets used in toys and games being sold online.
Ban on High-Powered Magnets
The sale of small, high-powered magnets has been banned in Australia since 2012 due to the danger they pose if ingested. ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe warned that these magnets can cause catastrophic, life-threatening internal injuries if swallowed, particularly for young children. Multiple magnets can stick together in the intestine or digestive tissue, and they also pose a choking risk.
Games Under Investigation
Some of the games being investigated include magnetic chess-style games. The ACCC is particularly concerned that its investigation has detected sellers listing these banned products on online marketplaces. Lowe urged all online marketplaces to do more to prevent listings of these products to keep consumers, especially young children, safe.
Enforcement Actions
The ACCC has sent takedown requests to major sellers such as Amazon, eBay, Kogan, and Fruugo for the affected listings. It has also sought additional measures to prevent sellers from relisting the same or similar products. Magnets covered by the permanent ban are described as separable or loose, small, high-powered magnets supplied in multiples of two or more in toys, games, puzzles, construction or modelling kits, or even jewellery.
Consumer Advice
The ban applies to magnets that are small enough to swallow and have a flux index rating greater than the standard international regulatory threshold. Lowe urged consumers who have purchased such products to stop using them immediately, keep them out of reach of children, and contact the seller for a refund. Consumers who purchased affected products on Kogan, Amazon, and Fruugo may alternatively contact those online marketplaces for a refund.
Lowe emphasized that online marketplaces play a critical role in preventing listings of unsafe or banned products. The ACCC is continuing to engage with online marketplaces to ensure affected customers are contacted and warned about the risks, and that adequate steps are taken to prevent future listings.
ACCC Takes Amazon to Court
On Friday, the ACCC commenced Federal Court proceedings against Amazon, alleging that kids' backpacks being sold on its online marketplace failed to comply with mandatory button battery warning requirements. This is the first Federal Court case brought by the ACCC against an online marketplace alleging non-compliance with mandatory product safety standards.
The backpacks, which come with a detachable light-up plush toy containing button batteries, allegedly failed to comply with button battery warning requirements. Button batteries can cause severe internal burns and death if swallowed by children. The ACCC alleges that Australians purchased 41 of the 267 backpacks held in Amazon's Australian fulfilment centres as of November 2022. The watchdog is seeking declarations, penalties, costs, and other orders.
An Amazon spokesperson said the company is considering the case filed by the ACCC. Amazon is proud to be a founding signatory of the ACCC's Online Product Safety Pledge and remains focused on providing the best experience for its Australian customers, including continuing to work hard to ensure every product available in its store is safe and compliant with policies and applicable regulations.
