CPSC Approves New Magnet Safety Standard for Certain Non-Toy Products

October 3, 2022 | The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously approved a final rule for the 16 CFR 1262 safety standard for magnets, including loose or separable magnets used in non-toy products, including those used for entertainment or stress relief, or jewelry. All applicable products manufactured or imported on or after October 21, 2022 will need to comply with this rule.

Commonly referred to as the “adult magnets” rule, it is designed to address magnets that are outside the scope of the ASTM F963-17 toy standard. Children’s toys that are subject to and already comply with the toy safety standard are exempt from this new rule.

Examples of non-toy items that will be covered under 16 CFR 1262 include “… a consumer product that is designed, marketed, or intended to be used for entertainment, jewelry (including children’s jewelry), mental stimulation, stress relief, or a combination of these purposes, and that contains one or more loose or separable magnets.” The final rule does not include items that are “…sold and/or distributed solely to school educators, researchers, professionals, and/or commercial or industrial users exclusively for educational, research, professional, commercial, and/or industrial purposes.”

“Standards for the use of powerful magnets in children’s toys have existed since 2006. The new 16 CFR 1262 final rule recognizes and emulates the precedents and protections already provided by the ASTM F963 toy standard, by directly referencing the ASTM F963 requirements and test methods,” said Jos Huxley, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association. “Makers and importers of non-toy items that include magnets will need to ensure that their products comply with this new requirement.”

The full Federal Register notice is available here. Questions from members may be directed to The Toy Association’s Jos Huxley, senior vice president of technical affairs.