Magnets FAQs
The standard seeks to reduce or eliminate an unreasonable risk of death or injury to consumers who ingest one or more “hazardous magnets” from a “subject magnet product.”
A “subject magnet product” is a consumer product designed, marketed, or intended to be used for one or more of the following purposes:
- Entertainment
- Jewelry (including children’s jewelry)
- Mental stimulation
- Stress relief
Toys that are subject to the requirements of 16 CFR part 1250/ASTM F963-17 are exempt from the requirements in the magnet standard. Additionally, the standard excludes products used exclusively for educational, research, professional, commercial, and/or industrial purposes that are sold and/or distributed to one or more of the following:
- School educators
- Researchers
- Professionals
- Commercial or industrial users
A “hazardous magnet” is a magnet that fits entirely within the small parts test cylinder (see Figure 1 of 16 CFR § 1501.4) and has a flux index of 50 kG2 mm2 or more when tested in accordance with the procedures outlined in sections 8.25.1 through 8.25.3 of ASTM F963-17.
A read-only copy of ASTM F963-17 is available on ASTM’s Reading Room at: https://www.astm.org/products-services/reading-room.html.
Yes. The definition of “subject magnet product” does not differentiate between consumer products containing magnet sets or individual magnets. Both types of products are subject to the magnet rule.
The rule was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 57756 and may be cited as 16 CFR part 1262.