CPSC Approves Ban of High-powered Magnet Sets
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 4-0 yesterday to ban high-powered magnet sets, like Buckyballs, which went out of business in 2012. One commissioner was not present for the vote.
The new national safety standard will affect sets—or individual magnets that are marketed or intended for use as a part of a magnet set—and go into effect in 180 days after it is entered into the federal registry, according to the CPSC. At that time, each individual magnet in the set must be large enough so it does not fit into a CPSC small-parts cylinder or the magnetic force must be lower than a specified measure. Some previously available magnet sets had a magnetic force 37 times greater than the new standard permits, the CPSC indicated, urging consumers to stop using high-powered magnets that will not comply with the new federal standard.
Amanda L. Cole is the editor-in-chief of NonProfit PRO. She was formerly editor-in-chief of special projects for NonProfit PRO's sister publication, Promo Marketing. Contact her at acole@napco.com.