Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
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The ACCC is investigating the supply of banned and potentially deadly toys and games containing small high-powered magnets, including ‘magnetic chess’ or ‘magnetic battle chess’ style games being sold to Australian consumers online.
Certain separable or loose, small, high-powered magnets are covered by a permanent ban under Australian Consumer Law because of the danger of injury or death if swallowed.
“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,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We are extremely concerned that our investigation has detected sellers listing these banned products on online marketplaces, and we urge all online marketplaces to do more to prevent listings of these products to keep consumers, and especially young children, safe.”
The ACCC has sent Amazon, eBay, Kogan, and Fruugo take down requests for the affected listings and sought additional measures to be taken to prevent sellers relisting the same or similar products. Amazon, eBay, Kogan, and Fruugo have committed to taking these actions and to contacting affected customers to warn them about the safety risks.
Kogan, Amazon and Fruugo have also provided, or offered to provide, refunds to customers that purchased the affected products subject to the ACCC’s investigation.
“We are urging consumers who have bought this type of product to stop using them immediately, keep them out of reach of children, and contact the seller for a refund. Consumers who purchased affected products on Kogan, Amazon and Fruugo may alternatively contact those online marketplaces for a refund.” Ms Lowe said.
“Online marketplaces have a critical role in preventing listings of unsafe or banned products. We are continuing to engage with online marketplaces to ensure affected customers are contacted and warned about the risks and that adequate steps are taken to prevent future listings of these products,” Ms Lowe said.
Since the start of the ACCC’s investigation , several products containing small, high-powered magnets have been recalled from sale.
A mandatory product safety standard for toys containing magnets is also in place, and the ACCC is concerned that suppliers have listed on online marketplaces products that were banned or non-compliant with the mandatory safety standards.
Businesses must not sell banned products and should take appropriate measures to ensure they comply with their product safety obligations. Where an unsafe or non-compliant product is identified, businesses should recall it immediately and notify the ACCC within two business days of taking recall action.
“We urge all online and bricks and mortar businesses to review their toys and games immediately and to act quickly to conduct a recall and provide refunds if non-compliant products are identified,” Ms Lowe said.
“We will continue to investigate the supply of banned products and consider enforcement action, where appropriate, in accordance with the ACCC’s Compliance and Enforcement policy. The ACCC’s 2026/2027 Compliance and Enforcement priorities have a focus on unsafe products in digital markets and consumer product safety issues for young children.”
Examples of affected products
Information about further voluntary recalls, is available on the Product Safety website.
Examples of magnetic games that have been voluntarily recalled by the supplier for non-compliance with the permanent ban.
Background
The magnets covered by the permanent ban are separable or loose small high-powered magnets that are supplied in multiples of two or more in toys, games, puzzles, construction or modelling kits or jewellery. The ban applies to magnets that are small enough to swallow and have a flux index greater than 50 (kG)2 mm2, a technical rating used to identify strong magnets.
The permanent ban on certain small, high-powered magnets has been in place since 2012. It specifies the types of consumer goods covered by the ban. The ACCC may take enforcement action, including potential enforcement proceedings seeking penalty orders.
Suppliers of banned products should conduct an immediate voluntary recall when they become aware that the products are banned.
The mandatory product safety standard sets design and construction requirements for magnetic toys, to prevent children from being able to access small magnets. This includes testing to make sure a magnet won’t separate from the toy during play.
The only toys allowed to contain loose, small high-powered magnets are magnetic or electrical experimental sets intended for children 8 years and over. The product safety standard sets out warning requirements to accompany magnetic or electrical experimental sets.
In May 2026, the ACCC commenced Federal Court proceedings against Amazon Commercial Services Pty Ltd (Amazon AU) alleging kids backpacks in its possession or control for sale on its online marketplace failed to comply with mandatory button battery warning requirements. This is the first Federal Court case brought by the ACCC against an online marketplace alleging non-compliance with mandatory product safety standards.
Today’s media release, which is consistent with the ACCC’s priority focus on unsafe products in digital markets, aims to avoid further sales of affected toys and games and warn consumers to be alert to the dangers of products with banned small high-powered magnets.
Consumers are also encouraged to report unsafe products to the ACCC.
Information for businesses
Businesses should review all products with magnets for sale. If a business is not sure whether a product is part of the ban, they should carry out compliance checks before making products available to consumers, and should not sell a product if they are unsure whether it is covered by a permanent product safety ban.
If a business identifies that they are supplying or facilitating the supply of non-compliant products, they should stop immediately. Businesses should conduct a recall for any products that have already been sold or distributed, and notify the ACCC within two days of taking recall action. Businesses can initiate a product safety recall using this form. Guidance on conducting a recall is available on the ACCC Product Safety website.
Advice for consumers
Remember: Quick clicks. Real risks. Be cautious if buying products online with small parts or small high-powered magnets.
Consider if the business or online marketplace includes information about its compliance with Australian product safety standards.
Consumers that purchased products containing affected small high-powered magnets should stop using them immediately and keep them out of reach of children.
- Store the product securely and do not allow children to play with it. If any magnets have become loose, collect them immediately and keep them in a sealed container out of reach of children.
- If you think a child has swallowed one or more magnets, seek urgent medical attention immediately.
- Contact the seller or, if they’ve agreed to provide the assistance, online marketplace you bought it from to ask about a return, refund or recall information, and keep records of your purchase.
- If you become aware of the product continuing to be sold in Australia, you can report it to the ACCC at its Product Safety website.
Small magnets pose serious health risks when swallowed
Source: © All rights reserved. Magnets safety. Health Canada, 2025. Reproduced with permission from the Minister of Health. 2026. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/toy-safety/magnets.html