Canada notifies Regulations Amending the Toys Regulations (Magnetic Toys)

The current Toys Regulations, made under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, would be amended to include the following two principal elements:

1.    A requirement that any magnetic toy or magnetic component that can be entirely enclosed in the small parts cylinder must have a magnetic flux index less than 0.5 T²mm² (50 kG²mm²). The small parts cylinder is illustrated in Schedule 1 of the Toys Regulations and the small parts test incorporates the use of a force of not more than 4.45 N. The method to assess magnetic flux index is set out in a new Schedule of the Toys Regulations.

2.    A requirement stating that the above criteria must also be met after the magnetic toy or magnetic component is subjected to a standard series of integrity tests set out in a new Schedule of the Toys Regulations. The integrity tests include: a soaking test, an initial tension test for magnets, a drop test, a torque test, a tension test, an impact test for magnets, a compression test, and a final tension test for magnets.

The proposed amendments establish two exceptions. The first is an exception for a magnet that is required for the function of a motor, relay, speaker, and other electric or electronic

component, as long as the magnetic property is not part of the intended learning or play pattern for the toy. The second is an exception for magnets in toys that are advanced magnetic electrical experimental kits intended for children eight years of age or older, where the kit has a warning on its packaging and instructions regarding the danger of swallowing magnets

Products covered: Magnetic toys for children (may include Consumer Products (not including food, therapeutics or cosmetics

HS Code: 95

Proposed date of adoption: Not stated.

Proposed date of entry into force: The amended Toys Regulations would come into force on the day that, in the sixth month after the month in which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, has the same calendar number as the day on which they are published or, if that sixth month has no day with that number, the last day of that sixth month.

Final date for comments: 17 January 2018

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