Over 1,000 potentially dangerous motorcycle helmets were recently recalled after testing by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found they were unsafe and did not meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1698:2006 Protective helmets for vehicle users.
CFA representative Prof Raphael Grzebieta is on the Standards Australia Technical Committee CS-076 Protective helmets for vehicle users which is currently revising a number of amendments to the standard. The primary purpose of this Standard is to provide a specification for protective helmets for motor cyclists and users of other motor vehicles. The Standard also provides a basis for helmets used in motor sports where speed is a determining factor.
Consumers are encouraged to make a complaint about breaches of mandatory product safety standards through the ACCC’s Reporting Unsafe Products portal. When consumer products are identified as unsafe they are recalled from the market. A consumer product safety recall occurs when a problem, that may mean that the consumer good presents a hazard, is identified. Recall of potentially unsafe consumer products are listed on Product Safety Recalls on the ACCC website.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer CFA Standards Representative please contact the Standards Coordinator standards@consumeraction.org.