June 2 (Reuters) – Australia’s competition watchdog said on Tuesday it had sent takedown requests to Amazon, eBay, Kogan and Fruugo after finding listings for banned magnetic chess-style toys whose small, powerful magnets can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed by children.
The ACCC is investigating the supply of banned toys and games containing small high-powered magnets, including “magnetic chess” and “magnetic battle chess” products. Loose or separable magnets are prohibited in certain toys, games and jewellery because multiple magnets can stick together inside the body.
The regulator said the marketplaces agreed to remove affected listings, contact customers and prevent relisting. Amazon, Kogan and Fruugo have provided or offered refunds, it said.
“Customer safety is our top priority,” an Amazon spokesperson said, adding that the company has banned magnetic battle chess games from its store, regardless of whether such products could lawfully be sold in Australia.
Retailer eBay said listings found to breach its product safety policy were promptly removed after review. Kogan did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for a comment. 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.
The ACCC 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 mandatory product safety standards.
(Reporting by Sherin Sunny and Roushni Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar, Rashmi Aich and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
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