On 18 May, 2020, The WTO published a notifying document “Review of the mandatory safety standards for children's toys – Consultation paper”, regarding ACCC’s(Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) proposal to update the mandatory safety standard for children's toys containing magnets to allow suppliers to comply with any of the following widely-adopted voluntary standards:

• International Standard (ISO 8124-1:2018 - Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties);

• European Standard (EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 - Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties);

• American Standard (ASTM F963 – 17 - Standard consumer safety specification for toy safety);

• Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 – Safety of toys Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties, which is a domestic adoption of the International Standard);

The proposed safety standard would not impose any requirements other than those contained in these standards. Allowing compliance with these standards would reduce the current regulatory complexity and duplication for suppliers, thereby reducing technical barriers to trade. While these standards have comparable requirements to the current mandatory safety standard, they intend to reduce the consumer hazard by limiting the scope of toys that are permitted to be supplied with 'loose as-received' small high-powered magnets.

Final date for comments: 60 days from notification

Proposed date of adoption: Any proposed amendment to the safety standard would be adopted the day after it is registered.

Proposed date of entry into force: The proposed safety standard would provide a transitional period (usually 12 months) to allow suppliers to move to the new requirements. During the transitional period suppliers may choose to comply with the new standard or the requirements set out in the current safety standard.

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