Australia orders Amazon, eBay, others to remove banned magnetic toys

Australia's competition watchdog has sent takedown requests to Amazon, eBay, Kogan and Fruugo after finding listings for banned magnetic chess-style toys whose magnets can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed by children.

The Australian Competition & Consumer ⁠Commission said on Tuesday it is investigating the supply of banned toys and games containing small high-powered magnets, including magnetic chess and magnetic battle chess products. Australia prohibits loose or separable ‌magnets in certain toys, games and jewellery.

THE ACCC said the marketplaces have agreed to remove affected listings, contact customers and prevent ‌relisting. Amazon, Kogan and Fruugo have provided or offered ‌refunds, it said.

The regulator said it would continue to investigate ‌and consider enforcement action.

The action ‌comes days after the regulator sued Amazon's Australian unit over alleged breaches of button-battery ​warning rules for children's ‌backpacks, its ​first Federal Court case against an ⁠online marketplace over product safety standards.

"Customer safety is our top priority," an Amazon spokesperson said in an email, adding that the ​company ⁠has banned magnetic battle ⁠chess games from its store, regardless of whether such products could lawfully be sold in Australia.

A Kogan spokeswoman said the company ⁠prioritises product safety and compliance across its storefronts, including through ongoing monitoring of ACCC, state regulator, recall and product ban notices.

eBay said listings found to breach its product safety policy were promptly removed after review. Fruugo could not immediately be reached.

ACCC ‌Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe urged consumers to stop using affected products, keep them ​away from children and seek refunds. She also called on online and bricks-and-mortar retailers to review toys and games and recall any non-compliant products.