Online retail giants Amazon and eBay have been urged to pull toys containing “potentially deadly” magnets from their virtual shelves.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a takedown request to Amazon, eBay, Kogan and Fruugo over toys and games with small, highly powerful magnets inside.The magnets are permanently banned from being sold in Australia due to the “catastrophic” injuries they can cause if swallowed.However, they are still available to buy via online retailers, prompting the ACCC to step in.The magnets are included in toys and games being sold online, such as Magnetic Chess and Magnetic Battle Chess.However, the regulator is urging the retailers to pull the products and prevent them from being sold to Australians.“Small, high-powered magnets can cause catastrophic, life-threatening internal injuries if swallowed, particularly for young children,” ACCC deputy chairman Catriona Lowe said.“Multiple magnets can stick together in the intestine or digestive tissue. They are a choking risk.“We are extremely concerned that our investigation has detected sellers listing these banned products on online marketplaces and we urge all online marketplaces to do more to prevent listings of these products to keep consumers, especially young children, safe.”The ACCC has also put in place a mandatory product safety standard for toys containing these magnets.Since the notices were issued, Amazon, eBay, Kogan and Fruugo have committed to taking steps to warn customers about the risks.Amazon, Kogan and Fruugo have also offered to provide refunds to any customers who have already bought the protected products.“We are urging consumers who have bought this type of product to stop using them immediately, keep them out of reach of children and contact the seller for a refund,” Ms Lowe added.“Online marketplaces have a critical role in preventing listings of unsafe or banned products. “We are continuing to engage with online marketplaces to ensure affected customers are contacted and warned about the risks and that adequate steps are taken to prevent future listings of these products.”The nationwide ban on certain types of magnets has been in place since 2012.Read related topics:Amazon