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Not all cyber security risks can be addressed by governments and industry — individuals should also take steps to protect themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how much Australians interact and work online, trusting the internet for healthcare, working from home, education, entertainment and online shopping. Protecting you and your family online is about more than avoiding…
Read More Cyber security — your responsibility
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The COVID-19 epidemic has raised concerns around supply chains and the need for more innovation. So how can organisations be innovative enough in order to deal with an increasingly uncertain world? Standards Australia has recently published three AS ISO standards on Innovation management — about guidance, vocabulary, and tools and methods for innovative partnerships. A Consumers Federation…
Read More Innovate or perish —Standards Australia publishes standards on innovation management
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Under certain circumstances, open flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide into buildings. Malfunctioning, poorly or infrequently serviced open flued gas space heaters in residential settings have resulted in the deaths of three Victorians since 2010. Your views are being sought on the Regulatory Impact…
Read More Phase out of open flued gas space heaters — have your say
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ISO/COPOLCO Capacity building mentorship program has appointed 10 mentors to work with representatives from 11 countries in Africa, the four appointed from Australia are all CFA Standards Representatives – John Henry working with participants in Malawi and Botswana, John Furbank with participants in the Seychelles, Antonio Bonacruz with participants in Zimbabwe and Heather Grain with participants in Zambia. The program aims to attain concrete standards-related consumer protection objectives and…
Read More Congratulations to CFA representatives appointed to an international mentorship program involving Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and the Seychelles
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On Friday, CFA hosted its Consumer Advocacy Soapbox Session, celebrating the best consumer advocacy campaigns over 2019–20. The Soapbox Session was initially part of the National Consumer Congress, which was to be in March. With the support of the ACCC, CFA moved the Session online. The winner of the Award was Raphael Grzebieta from the…
Read More CFA Soapbox Prizewinner — Quad Bike Performance Project
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Having difficulty understanding the jargon of your builder or plumber? Different terminology makes it confusing to understand exactly what is needed. The free online National Dictionary of Building and Plumbing Terms aims to assist consumers, industry and government to understand the range of terminology used to describe the same or similar terms and processes across Australia. Standards…
Read More Building or renovating? Free online dictionary for building and plumbing terms
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On World Standard Day, CFA recognises the efforts of the volunteers who represent CFA on Standards Australia Technical Committees. Each year on the 14 October, the members of standards making organisations celebrate World Standards Day – This year’s theme is Protecting the Planet with Standards. Currently CFA has representation on a number of committees that are developing…
Read More World Standards Day 2020 – Protecting the Planet with Standards
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CFA Standards Representative John Henry has been appointed to be a mentor as part of the ISO-COPOLCO-Capacity building mentorship programme. He will be working with trainees in developing countries to attain concrete standards-related consumer protection objectives and significantly improve consumer involvement with priority issues for the country. Participation of developing countries in international standardization is…
Read More CFA representative appointed to ISO/COPOLCO-Capacity building mentorship programme
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Smart sunglasses and glasses are the latest ‘wearable technology’ to emerge over the last couple of years and may well be the next big breakthrough that will filter into our daily lives. However, as with any new technology where standards may not yet exist, there are some consumer protection issues that need to be considered.…
Read More Smart sunglasses — what’s next?
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CFA has appointed John Furbank as its representative to the Standards Australia Technical Committee CS-108 Cosmetics – Terminology. John is also a member of FT-032 Organic and biodynamic products which developed the standard AS 6000 Organic and biodynamic products that includes requirements for organic cosmetic and skincare products. The Australian marketplace is exposed to a…
Read More CFA representative appointed to a Standards Australia committee on cosmetics
A receipt for grocery items. In the background are grocery items
In the latest edition of the ISO Consumer Update, Consumers International says consumer advocacy has a vital role to play in guiding, advising and informing consumers to ensure they can access a fair and affordable market for essential products and services. The Update also refers to a recent guest blog on CI’s website about: How…
Read More ISO standard on unit pricing relevant to consumers affected by the COVID-19 economic crisis
windmills in the distance on a field of grass
Consumers are more aware of environmental issues than ever before and feeling anxious about the state of the planet. There are many opportunities to contribute to global projects working on improving the environment. You can help find out how much plastic pollution there is globally by uploading images of pollution when you see it –…
Read More What can I do about improving the environment?