Standards

A blow-up swimming ring in a pool A blow-up swimming ring in a pool

Being around water is part of everyday Australian life, however drowning is one of the major causes of unintentional death for Australian children. In 2017/18, 18 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents occurred in backyard swimming pools. Pool and spa barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning…

Read More Standard on safety barriers for swimming pools is open for public comment

A lightbulb A lightbulb

Innovation is an increasingly important contributor to the success of an organization, enhancing its ability to adapt in a changing world. Consumers’ Federation of Australia has recently appointed a representative to Standards Australia’s Technical Committee MB-279 Innovation management mirroring the work of ISO TC 279. Consumers are integral to the innovation process since they have more know-how,…

Read More Innovation management and consumers

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World Standards Day will be on 14 October 2019. World Standards Day promotes the role of standards in meeting the needs of consumers, industry, business and government. Consumers’ Federation Australia takes this opportunity to thank all the CFA Standards representatives participating on Standards Australia Technical Committees who ensure that standards address the concerns of everyday Australians.  This…

Read More World Standards Day 14 October 2019: “Video standards create a global stage”

Two pharmacists serving a customer at the store counter Two pharmacists serving a customer at the store counter

Consumers Federation of Australia provides consumer representatives to Standards Australia Technical Committees as part of the CFA Standards Project. An opportunity exists to represent consumers on a Standards Australia Technical Committee which will be revising the quality and performance of tampons in the current Australian standard.  Tampons are required to comply with Therapeutic Goods (Standards for Tampons) (TGO 103) Order 2019 before…

Read More Can you represent consumers on a Standards Australia Technical Committee on tampons?

A nursing chair and a baby's cot in a nursery A nursing chair and a baby's cot in a nursery

An analysis of CHOICE test data has found key products designed for children still pose a risk as doctors, industry, experts and parents converged on Canberra on Wednesday to demand action. The data shows: Portable cots (60 tested from 2011–2018*): 98% or 59 failed. Strollers (163 tested from 2012–2019): 83% or 136 failed. Cots (173…

Read More Parents demand Canberra act on unsafe products

A kitchen tap pouring water into a sink A kitchen tap pouring water into a sink

Tap water is one of our most important and basic necessities. Most Australians don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water they’re supplied with. The downside of ensuring safe drinking water is the lingering taste and smell of disinfectant, causing many people to opt for a water filtering system (read more here). Water treatment…

Read More Standard on drinking water treatment units open for public comment

A pile of plastic cups in landfill A pile of plastic cups in landfill

It’s a well-known fact that the rise in consumerism and disposable products is choking and exhausting our planet. Before we reach the day where there is more plastic in the sea than fish, something has to be done to ebb the flow. According to the World Economic Forum, moving towards a circular economy is the key, and a ‘trillion-dollar…

Read More Circular economy the key to tackling resource depletion and pollution

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The CFA sponsored side event on grocery unit pricing at the Consumers International Summit in Portugal on 29 April 2019 was very successful. CFA executive member Ian Jarratt gave a presentation on the history, benefits of, and problems with, the provision of unit pricing of pre-packaged grocery items around the world. Ian also provided a…

Read More CFA side event at the Consumers International Congress in Portugal

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Demand response aims to ensure stable energy during times of peak demand to avoid disruptive power outages. Standards Australia is inviting Public Comment for DR AS 4755.2:2019, Demand response capabilities and supporting technologies for electrical products, Part 2: Demand response framework and requirements for Communications between Remote Agents and Electrical Products. AS 4755.2 applies to electrical products…

Read More Public comment invited on standard for demand response between remote agents and electrical products

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Applications now open for Standards Australia’s NEXTgen Contributors Program which selects emerging industry and technical experts and provides them with an exciting opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation processes supporting Australian industry and government. Do you know any emerging experts in your industry? Standards Australia are now accepting applications for the 2019/20 NEXTgen Contributors Program.…

Read More Opportunity to participate in a Standards Development Program (NEXTgen)