Toys Regulations

1 The following method is to be used for testing the integrity of magnetic toys and magnetic components:

• (a) in the case of a magnetic toy or magnetic component that is made of wood, that is intended to be used in water or that is brought into contact with the user’s mouth in order to be used, begin by completing the following steps:

  • (i) submerge it for four minutes in a container of demineralized water that is maintained at a temperature of 21 ± 5°C,

  • (ii) remove it from the water and shake off the excess water,

  • (iii) maintain it at a temperature of 21 ± 5°C for 10 minutes,

  • (iv) repeat steps (i) to (iii) three more times and proceed immediately to the next step;

• (b) subject to paragraph (c), place the magnetic toy or the magnetic component being tested near another magnetic component of that same toy or component using the orientation that creates the strongest magnetic attraction in the course of reasonably foreseeable use of the toy or component and allow them to connect then pull them apart to the distance where magnetic attraction ceases;

• (c) if the magnetic toy or the magnetic component cannot be tested without either of them breaking or if the toy or the magnetic component has only one magnet, place the magnetic toy or the magnetic component near a flat, circular reference disc with a minimum nickel content of 99%, a diameter of 30 mm and thickness of 10 mm using the orientation that creates the strongest magnetic attraction in the course of reasonably foreseeable use of the toy or component and allow them to connect then pull them apart to the distance where magnetic attraction ceases;

• (d) repeat the step described in paragraph (b) nine more times;

• (e) test the magnetic toy or the magnetic component according to the tests set out in the following sections of the ASTM international standard F963, entitled Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, as amended from time to time, in the order below, while ensuring that for toys for use by a child of at least 8 years of age, the criteria for children over 36 months in Table 5 entitled “Test Parameters for Use and Abuse Tests” and the weight criteria in section 8.7.1 of that standard are used:

  • (i) section 8.7.1 “Drop Test”,

  • (ii) section 8.7.2 “Tipover Test for Large, Bulky Toys”, as these toys are defined in that Standard and in which section “worst attitude” is replaced by “most onerous position”,

  • (iii) section 8.8 “Torque Tests for Removal of Components”,

  • (iv) section 8.9 “Tension Test for Removal of Components”,

  • (v) section 8.25.4.6 “Impact Test”,

  • (vi) section 8.25.4.7 “Compression Test”;

• (f) repeat step (b) 10 more times.