Standards Project News - Consumers' Federation of Australia

27 September , 2021

Prams and strollers – draft standard open for public comment

Injuries suffered by infants in prams and strollers have included wounds to their head or face, crushing injuries and amputations. Carers and children outside of the pram or stroller have also suffered crushing injuries and lacerations to hands. In some cases, fingers have been amputated, read more in the ACCC Prams and strollers: Safety alert which includes…

6 September , 2021

Thinking of buying a smart device for your home?

Smart devices or Internet of Things (IoTs) have a significant role in our daily lives at home. A new report has raised the importance of increasing consumer awareness of privacy and consumer protection issues associated with IoTs since there is very limited legal protection for consumers who use these devices. The report Enhancing consumer awareness of…

6 September , 2021

Going down the toilet! – Have your say

Incorrect labelling and marketing of wet wipes and other items as ‘flushable’ has resulted in serious plumbing issues by contributing to ‘fatbergs’. Wet wipes and other items don’t disintegrate like toilet paper when flushed, wet wipes typically contain plastic so, once they reach the sea, they last for a long time, causing havoc with marine…

2 September , 2021

Women’s Health Week – prioritising women’s health

With many of us experiencing more time in our homes than usual, we need to maintain, or establish, behaviours and routines that promote health and wellbeing. Women’s Health Week 6-10 September 2021 reminds us to set time aside to evaluate our current lifestyle and participate in this nation-wide campaign of events and online activities – all centred…

19 August , 2021

Complaints handling standard open for public comment

When we make a complaint about products, services, staff, or the handling of a complaint we expect an effective response or resolution. An effective complaints handling system provides benefits to the public and the organisation and is fundamental to the provision of a quality service. Standards Australia has revised the standard on complaints handling and encourages views…

9 August , 2021

Stationary training equipment standards open for public comment

Stationery training equipment incudes exercise bicycles, training benches, treadmills, rowing machines, steppers, and other equipment for use in training areas of organisations such as sports associations, hotels, sports halls, educational establishments, studios, gyms, fitness centres etc where access and control are regulated by the owner. The nine parts of the new standards are open for…

26 July , 2021

Toward a meaningful right to repair

A ‘right to repair’ is the ability of consumers to have their products repaired at a competitive price using a repairer of their choice. A recent CHOICE consumer pulse survey identified that more than eight in ten (85%) people said that buying products that will last a long time is important to them and more…

20 July , 2021

Fraud and corruption control in your organisation

Australia ranks 11/180 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 (-8 since 2012) and safeguarding against loss or having any connection to corruption is a key responsibility of all organisations. Managing the fraud and corruption risk to business is a governance issue and the recently published Australian standard is intended to apply to all organisations operating…

7 July , 2021

More efficient lighting for consumers

With inefficient halogen lamps proposed to be phased out in Australia from late 2022, consumers will soon be looking for more certainty around performance claims for LED lamps. Lighting accounts for around 10% of electricity usage in households, and 18–40% of in commercial premises. The recently published Australian/NZ standard provides suppliers with a clear guidance on how to…

30 June , 2021

Get involved in the development of Australian standards with NEXTgen 2021-22 programs

The Standards Australia NEXTgen 2021-22 Program selects emerging industry and technical experts and provides them with an exciting opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation processes developing important standards of benefit to the Australian community. The goal of the program is to support the future of standards development through investing in the next generation of…

24 June , 2021

Button batteries – new requirements for suppliers

In Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery and the ACCC has identified a number of ways to protect your family. The ACCC is also encouraging suppliers to comply with the new requirements on button batteries as soon as possible and has developed A Guide for Business on the Application of…

7 June , 2021

Adopting Trusted Overseas Product Safety Standards

The Morrison Government is supporting businesses to innovate, grow and minimise compliance costs while maintaining stringent safety standards for consumer products and related services. The Government in consultation with Consumer Ministers will look to develop amendments to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and associated legislation which would allow the adoption of trusted overseas product safety…