Standards - Consumers' Federation of Australia

26 June , 2018

2018 Wiring Rules are now available for licensed electrical practitioners

Standards Australia announced today that the 2018 edition of AS/NZS 3000:2018, Electrical Installations (known as the Wiring Rules) has been published in Australia and New Zealand. The new standard, created through collaboration between industry and government, has now been published with key updates in important areas, such as main switches, residual current devices (RCDs) and DC wiring…

13 June , 2018

Putting the trust back into online reviews

As consumers, we want a digital world that we can trust. The recently published ISO 20488 standard on Online consumer reviews – Principles and requirements for their collection, moderation and publication is a great tool to give consumers more elements to enhance our trust. Consumers International was represented by Julie Hunter at the ISO Technical Committee on Online…

10 June , 2018

ACMA rules kick in on telco complaints

Telco consumers can expect a better complaints-handling experience under a new industry standard and record-keeping rules announced today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This is the first tranche of new rules announced by the ACMA in December 2017 to improve consumers’ experience in migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN). The ACMA’s actions follow its industry information-gathering exercise and its…

30 May , 2018

What can truthfully be labelled recyclable?

With China no longer willing to accept material from Australia for potential recycling, there is a national discussion about what can and cannot truthfully be labelled as “recyclable” going forward in Australia. Standards Australia has played a lead role in the development of standards on environmental labelling as the Secretariat of the ISO TC 207 SC 3 Environmental…

29 May , 2018

Validating a solar quote

Dr Martin Gill reviews a solar installers analysis suggesting a strata complex would recover the cost of investing in a solar system in “just over 4 years” – Dr Gill’s review of the installer’s analysis raises multiped issues, read more here. The Clean Energy Council maintains a list of Approved solar installers. These installers voluntarily agree to a…

21 May , 2018

National Volunteer Week 2018

Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) congratulates all the volunteers who give generously of their time and expertise in representing consumers on a range of bodies and organisations including over 30 volunteer representatives participating on Standards Australia Technical Committees as part of the CFA Standards Project. This years’ theme Give a little. Change a lot. represents the millions of volunteers…

16 May , 2018

Phasing out inefficient halogen light bulbs in Australia

There will be significant savings to households on their electricity bills due to the planned phasing out of inefficient halogen light bulbs. The average Australian household will be around $650 better off over 10 years by changing from inefficient halogen lamps to minimum standard LED lamps. On 20 April 2018, the COAG Energy Council agreed…

15 May , 2018

Don’t play around with children’s online safety

Many Internet connected children’s products have weak security as well as invasive data collection and privacy features. There is currently no effective regulation of these products, and little consumer understanding of how they function or their faults. Read more on the Consumers International website here and the video Huggybug Your Family Today’: Don’t play around with children’s online…

9 May , 2018

Applications now open for Standards Australia Young Leaders Program 2018/19

Do you know any emerging leaders in your sector? Standards Australia are now accepting applications for the 2018/19 Young Leaders Program. The program provides in-depth training on developing standards and includes the opportunity to observe committees in action. It’s the perfect way to launch a standards career. “Being involved in the program gave me confidence to seek…

9 May , 2018

Playing safe with kids’ toys

Keeping kids free from harm is the effect of standards for toy safety. ISO has just updated a toy safety standard to ensure it covers all bases. Made for play, children’s toys are rife with potential hidden hazards ranging from sharp edges to cords or small parts, to name a few. The humble plaything can cause great harm if not designed and manufactured…

7 May , 2018

Sizing woes a Standards issue

Trying to find the right size clothing can be like navigating the minefield that is our clothing size system in Australia. It usually requires taking three different sizes into the change room, or buying them online and returning the duds. The problem is that there is no official sizing system in Australia. The Australian Standard…

3 May , 2018

Stop blaming consumers for electricity market failure

Dr Martin Gill discusses how electricity retailers continue to justify their poor behaviour by claiming consumers have a choice. This is untrue. As an essential service, consumers must purchase electricity. Consumer rights to access this essential service, at a sensible price, should be protected and not turned into a “game” with a few winners and…