Two people on a quad bike
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
Yellow sticky notes on a board
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
A pair of sunglasses and a woven hat
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?
An eyeshadow pallette
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?
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Congratulations to Elaine Attwood AM as the joint winner of the ISO Simon Holland Award 2020, which is aligned with the ISO Excellence Award. It recognises her outstanding contribution to the work of ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnology in the previous year and acknowledges the input and support Elaine offered to the ISO/TC 229 community and her…
Read More CFA Standards representative Elaine Attwood AM receives international award
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During this challenging time standards ensure that we can work from home safely and efficiently. Standards Australia developed these standards via technical committees whose members come from a range of stakeholders including Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA). Can you speak up for consumers as part of the CFA Standards Project to ensure that new standards…
Read More Standards and working from home
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Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to ensure products and services include consumer protection? Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) is calling for expressions of interest for volunteer consumer representative positions on the following Standards Australia Technical Committees, as part of the CFA Standards Project. Consumers are a key stakeholder group in the…
Read More Call for consumer representatives on Standards Australia Technical Committees – playground equipment and sports and recreational equipment
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Ladders are used in most households for a range of jobs from DIY to changing lightbulbs; however, if the ladder is not in good condition or is used unsafely, falls can occur and cause fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain injury or death. Standards Australia has just published a revised standard AS 1895.2:2020 Portable ladders which provides minimum requirements…
Read More Safe ladder use and Australian Standards