US Introduces Safety Standard for Magnets in Consumer Products

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 21, 2022 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising stakeholders that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a final rule for products containing magnets.

Final rule 16 CFR 1262 establishes ‘Safety Standard for Magnets’. The purpose of the standard is to reduce the risk of death and injury associated with the ingestion of one or more high-powered magnets. It came into effect on October 21, 2022, and will apply to all relevant magnet products manufactured after this date.

The final rule applies to magnet products with one or more loose or separable magnets in any consumer product designed, marketed or intended to be used for:

• Entertainment
• Jewelry (including children's jewelry)
• Mental stimulation
• Stress relief
• Or a combination of the above

The safety standard demands each loose or separable magnet in a product that fits entirely within the small parts cylinder described in 16 CFR 1501.4 must have a flux index of less than 50 kG² mm² when tested in accordance with 16 CFR 1262.4 (Test procedure for determining flux index).

Exempted products include products 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. Toys that are subject to toy safety standard 16 CFR 1250 are also exempted because the magnet ingestion hazard is addressed in that standard.

SGS Consumer Product Services

SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivalled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Consumer Product Services.

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For further information contact:

Dennis Lancion

Technical Manager (Hardlines)

Tel: +1 (905) 364-3757

Email: crs.media@sgs.com

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

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