A white letterbox
The surge in credit card fraud, identity fraud and scams is commonly achieved through mailbox theft. Identity crime costs Australia upwards of $1.6 billion each year, with the majority (around $900m) lost by individuals through credit card fraud, identity theft and scams. Mailboxes have become an easy target for thieves who find breaking into them…
Read More Identity theft and mailboxes
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
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
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 green field with wind turbines in the background
Green Action Week 2019 is taking place from Monday September 30 to Sunday October 6. Unsustainable consumption is a relatively new phenomenon, and all over the world communities are pushing back against it. When people collaborate and share goods and services, it benefits the community as well as the environment. Green Action Week 2019 will…
Read More Green Action Week 2019
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
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
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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Children can suffer a range of injuries from unsafe toys. Make sure you buy sturdy and well-made toys that can handle vigorous play by children. It is an offence to supply goods that do not comply with mandatory standards, read more here The newly published revised and redesignated toys standard specifies safety aspects related to the…
Read More Updated standard on toy safety protects children