This week, UK authorities published the recall of a toy magnetic dart board game because the strong small magnets easily detach and are hazardous. The incident highlights that there may still be a lack of awareness among manufacturers to the very serious dangers of magnets in children's products.
The hazards associated with these small strong magnets is that they can cause blockages, restrict blood flow and can cause tissue perforation in the gut or airways - with sometimes fatal consequences.
As the cost of rare earth magnets has decreased, they have found their way into consumer products and toys. They are typically 2 to 3 times stronger than common ferric magnets.
In 2007 such magnets hit the headlines with massive recalls and discussion by governments worldwide. By 2009 the European safety standard EN 71 part 1 was amended to include limits on the size and strength of magnets in toys.
As with all safety legislation, awareness in the supply chain is vital. Manufacturers need to keep informed and up to date, as greater understanding of the new risks are adopted into the safety standards.
To find out more about the product please visit http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/create_rapex.cfm?rx_id=341 for the latest Rapex report.
Leaders in EMC Testing , Environmental Testing, Safety Testing, Radio and Telecoms Testing, CE Marking, Vibration Testing, Climatic Testing, Certification, Training and Consulting.
The hazards associated with these small strong magnets is that they can cause blockages, restrict blood flow and can cause tissue perforation in the gut or airways - with sometimes fatal consequences.
As the cost of rare earth magnets has decreased, they have found their way into consumer products and toys. They are typically 2 to 3 times stronger than common ferric magnets.
In 2007 such magnets hit the headlines with massive recalls and discussion by governments worldwide. By 2009 the European safety standard EN 71 part 1 was amended to include limits on the size and strength of magnets in toys.
As with all safety legislation, awareness in the supply chain is vital. Manufacturers need to keep informed and up to date, as greater understanding of the new risks are adopted into the safety standards.
To find out more about the product please visit http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/create_rapex.cfm?rx_id=341 for the latest Rapex report.
Leaders in EMC Testing , Environmental Testing, Safety Testing, Radio and Telecoms Testing, CE Marking, Vibration Testing, Climatic Testing, Certification, Training and Consulting.
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