Feb 28, 2008, 14:21 GMT
Brussels - The European Union's member states Thursday agreed to introduce mandatory health warning labels on toys containing small magnets after one child died and dozens of others were seriously injured as a result of swallowing such components.
'The warning label will spell out clearly for parents the potentially serious risks and ensure extra vigilance,' said Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.
Officials in Brussels note that tiny magnets the size of a pencil eraser have become increasingly powerful in recent years.
If swallowed, two or more such magnets can connect with each other in the digestive tract, causing perforations, blockages and ruptures. Officials also warn that they can also cause serious harm if inhaled.
A child died in the United States in 2006 and at least 30 others in the US and Europe had to undergo surgery to remove magnets they had swallowed.
Last summer, toy giant Mattel was forced to recall 18.2 million magnetic toys worldwide amid growing concerns among consumers.
The mandatory warning labels are expected to be introduced in all 27 EU member states by the middle of the summer.
The labels are expected to tell parents that if their child should swallow a magnet, he or she should be rushed to hospital as the problem will not resolve itself.
A number of EU member states, such as Sweden and France, have already introduced such labels.
Kuneva said the warning label would serve as a temporary measure while the EU considered revising its rules on such toys.
Your Talkback on this Story