How Toys Testing Labs Assess Magnet Safety in Children’s Toys?
Magnets in children’s toys add interactive, educational, and engaging elements—but they also pose serious safety risks when not properly designed or securely enclosed. Small, powerful magnets can cause severe internal injuries if swallowed, making magnet safety one of the most critical areas of toy compliance testing worldwide. A certified Toys Testing Lab plays a central role in evaluating magnet strength, size, retention, and accessibility to ensure toys meet global safety standards before reaching consumers.
This blog explains why magnet safety matters, the tests performed, relevant international regulations, and how a Toys Testing Lab helps manufacturers produce safer magnetic toys for children.
Why Magnet Safety Is a Major Concern in Children's Toys
Magnets are commonly used in building blocks, puzzles, STEM kits, dolls, action figures, and novelty toys. While these elements boost educational value, they come with significant hazards:
1. Risk of Ingestion
Children—especially those under 3 years old—may swallow loose magnets. If two or more strong magnets attract across intestinal walls, they can cause:
internal perforations
intestinal blockage
internal bleeding
infection or sepsis
These complications require emergency surgery, making magnet safety testing essential.
2. Strong Magnetic Force
Neodymium magnets, now popular in toys, are incredibly powerful even at small sizes. Strong attraction force increases injury risks if magnets escape their housing.
3. Poor Magnet Retention in Low-Quality Toys
Inadequate adhesives or weak casing materials can cause magnets to fall out during routine play, leading to accidental ingestion or choking hazards.
Because of these dangers, accredited Toys Testing Labs follow strict protocols to ensure toys with magnets comply with global safety requirements.
Key Safety Standards Governing Magnets in Toys
To ensure safe use, magnet-containing toys must comply with several international standards:
✔ EN 71-1 (Europe)
Specifies safety requirements for magnet size, accessibility, and magnetic flux index.
✔ ASTM F963 (United States)
Regulates accessible magnets in toys and sets limits for magnetic flux strength.
✔ ISO 8124 (International)
Covers mechanical and physical requirements for magnet safety.
✔ CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
Includes mandatory safety rules for small magnets in children’s products.
A certified Toys Testing Lab uses advanced equipment and testing methods to verify that toys meet these regulatory benchmarks.
How Toys Testing Labs Assess Magnet Safety
Toys Testing Labs use a combination of mechanical, physical, and technical assessments to ensure magnets do not pose hazards to children. Below are the major evaluations performed:
1. Magnet Size and Shape Assessment
Small magnets pose much higher choking and ingestion risks. Toy laboratories measure:
diameter
thickness
shape
cross-sectional area
Magnets smaller than the regulatory threshold require special testing to determine accessibility and risk. Labs use small parts cylinders (SPC) to verify whether loose magnets fall into the category of hazardous small parts.
2. Magnetic Flux Index Testing
One of the most critical components of magnet safety assessment is measuring magnetic strength.
What Is Magnetic Flux Index?
It is a measurement of a magnet’s pull strength, given in kG²·mm². Toys Testing Labs use flux meters to measure:
maximum attraction force
field strength
magnetic pull behavior
According to EN 71-1 and ASTM F963, a toy magnet’s flux index must not exceed set safety limits. Excessively strong magnets are more likely to cause intestinal injury when swallowed.
3. Abuse Testing to Evaluate Magnet Retention
Toys Testing Labs simulate real-world play and misuse scenarios to determine whether magnets can become loose. These include:
Impact Test
The toy is dropped repeatedly to see if magnets detach.
Torque Test
Lab experts apply twisting force to components containing magnets.
Tension Test
Pulling force is applied to check if magnets are securely enclosed.
Compression Test
Pressure is applied to determine if casings crack or deform under stress.
These tests replicate actions such as throwing, biting, bending, or stepping on toys—common behaviors among children. If a magnet comes loose during testing, the toy fails safety standards.
4. Accessibility Testing
The goal is to verify whether magnets are reachable during normal or foreseeable use. Labs examine both:
Normal use: how a child is expected to play with the toy
Abuse conditions: twisting, dropping, bending, pulling
Toys Testing Labs use specialized probes (like accessibility probes and small parts gauges) to check:
openings
seams
joints
attachments
casings
If the magnet is accessible or can become accessible, the toy is classified as hazardous.
5. Chemical and Coating Safety Assessment
Magnets are often coated with nickel or other metals to prevent rust. However, coatings can contain:
heavy metals
allergens
toxic chemicals
A Toys Testing Lab performs chemical analysis to ensure coatings meet EN 71-3 and REACH chemical safety standards. Tests include:
heavy metal migration
nickel release testing
chemical composition analysis
This ensures that if a child mouths or chews the toy, they are not exposed to harmful substances.
6. Sharp Edges and Small Parts Testing
If magnets fall out, the remaining cavity may create sharp edges or small parts hazards. Labs inspect toys for:
burrs
sharp metal edges
broken components
exposed internal surfaces
Small parts testing ensures that broken components do not pose additional risks.
7. Durability and Wear Testing
Over time, adhesives can degrade and plastic housings can weaken. To simulate long-term play, Toys Testing Labs perform:
fatigue testing
repeated drop tests
flex testing
accelerated aging tests
This ensures magnets remain secure throughout the toy’s lifespan.
Why Magnet Testing Matters: Benefits for Manufacturers
✔ Reduced Risk of Recalls
Magnetic toy recalls are costly and damage brand reputation. Proper testing minimizes recalls.
✔ Compliance with Global Regulations
With testing, manufacturers confidently access international markets.
✔ Enhanced Consumer Trust
Parents prefer brands that provide safe, thoroughly tested products.
✔ Prevention of Life-Threatening Injuries
Magnet safety testing helps safeguard children from severe internal damage.
How Toys Testing Labs Support Manufacturers
A certified Toys Testing Lab provides end-to-end support:
Pre-compliance product evaluation
Guidance on design improvements
Safety assessments based on target market
Detailed test reports for certification authorities
Ongoing compliance support for mass production
This partnership ensures magnetic toys are safe, durable, and globally compliant.
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