EN 71-1:2005+ A8

A.50 Hemispheric-shaped toys (see 5.12)
EN 71-1:2005+A8:2009 (E)
This requirement is intended to address the asphyxiation hazards associated with toys of certain shapes (e.g.
cup-shape, bowl-shape or one half of an egg-shape) that can be placed over a young child's nose and mouth
forming an airtight seal. The available data indicate that the children involved in fatalities were between the
ages of 4 and 24 months while near misses involved children up to 36 months.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission staff has analyzed the incident data and concluded the
following regarding the dimensions of the containers involved in these incidents:
Table A.1 - Dimensions
Hemispherical toys Ranges
Diameter Range 69 mm to 97 mm
Depth Range 41 mm to 51 mm
Volume Range 100 ml to 177 ml
The work group observed children with cups in the diameter range of 51 mm to 114 mm. Based on these
observations and the dimensions of the cups involved in the incidents, it was concluded that the size range of
interest is 64 mm to 102 mm.
The two-hole positions described in Figure 13 a) and Figure 13 b) are intended to minimize the likelihood that
both holes could be blocked simultaneously.
The size of the opening is specified to prevent a vacuum from forming. The openings are not intended as
breathing holes.(
+A previous exception for ”objects intended for drinking (e.g. tea set cups)” from the requirements in 5.12
has been deleted due to the European Commission’s decision 2007/184/EC of March 23, 2007, published in
the Official Journal of the European Union on March 27, 2007.,
/
A.51 Magnets (see 4.23)
These requirements are intended to address the hazards associated with ingestion of strong magnets (e.g.
neodymium iron boron type magnets), that are capable of causing intestinal perforation or blockage. These
hazards are additional to those associated with small parts such as suffocation or asphyxiation (see A.26).
The requirements apply regardless of the intended age of the user.
Magnets found by children can be ingested. If more than one magnet, or one magnet and a ferromagnetic
object (for example iron or nickel) is ingested, the objects can attract to each other across intestinal walls and
cause perforation or blockage, which can cause severe injuries that may be fatal.
Several accidents, including one fatality, have been reported involving ingestion of magnets resulting in
perforation or blockage of the intestines. Most accidents have occurred with children between the ages of 10
months and 8 years. The majority of the accidents involve strong magnets used in magnetic building sets and
in several cases surgery was required to remove the magnets from children’s intestines. Medical signs
associated with intestinal perforation or blockage can easily be misinterpreted since many children exhibit only
flu-like symptoms. Such misinterpretations cause delay in the medical treatment and have led to medical
consequences for children.
For the purpose of this European Standard, magnets or magnetic components that could be ingested are
identified by using the small parts cylinder. The small parts cylinder was originally designed for identification of
small parts in toys intended for children under 36 months, which are capable of causing suffocation or
89