Australia’s competition and consumer watchdog has directed four major online retail platforms to remove product listings for magnetic chess-style games that carry a fatal risk to children if the small magnets they contain are swallowed.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued the takedown orders to Amazon, eBay, Kogan and Fruugo, targeting listings for toys that include small high-powered magnets covered by a permanent prohibition under Australian Consumer Law in place since 2012.
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The ban covers separable or loose small high-powered magnets supplied in multiples of two or more within toys, games, puzzles, construction or modelling kits, and jewellery — specifically those small enough to be swallowed.
ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said: “Small high-powered 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. They are also a choking risk.”
The regulator is also seeking assurances from each platform that mechanisms will be put in place to prevent sellers from relisting the same or equivalent products.
All four platforms have committed to complying with the removal requests and to contact affected customers with safety warnings.
Kogan, Amazon and Fruugo have provided, or agreed to provide, refunds to customers who purchased the affected items.
The ACCC launched the Federal Court proceedings against Amazon Commercial Services last month, alleging that children’s backpacks sold through its marketplace failed to meet mandatory button battery warning requirements.
It described that case as the first it had brought against an online marketplace for alleged non-compliance with mandatory product safety standards.
The ACCC said the latest enforcement activity forms part of a broader priority focus on unsafe products circulating in digital markets.
A mandatory product safety standard also exists alongside the permanent ban, setting out design and construction requirements for magnetic toys to prevent children from accessing small magnets during use.
The only exemptions under the ban apply to magnetic or electrical experimental sets intended for children aged eight and over.
Since the investigation got underway, several products containing small high-powered magnets have been voluntarily recalled.
The ACCC reminded businesses that they are required to notify the regulator within two business days of taking any recall action.
