Food, Health and Product Safety

There are thousands of products available in Australia, with each being produced by multiple brands. To ensure that these products work safely, the Australian product safety system relies on the cooperation of consumers, suppliers, and government agencies. More information here. The Commonwealth Treasury is undertaking a consultation on Improving the Effectiveness of the Consumer Product Safety System by…

Read More Seeking views from consumers on their experiences relating to product safety

Two people on a quad bike Two people on a quad bike

The ACCC has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to improve the safety of quad bikes by introducing a new safety standard. The decision was announced by Assistant Treasurer the Hon Michael Sukkar today. The safety standard has three elements: improved information for potential purchasers, enhanced quad bike stability, and rollover protection to reduce injuries and…

Read More ACCC welcomes new quad bike safety standard

A view of the steering wheel of a car from behind the driver A view of the steering wheel of a car from behind the driver

Major car manufacturers, including BMW, GM Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota, are warning that 20,000 vehicles already under recall for defective Takata airbags are now classified as “critical”. The ACCC is urging consumers not to drive these cars at all until the airbag has been replaced. “Cars with airbags listed as ‘critical’ should not be…

Read More Urgent safety alert for ‘critical’ Takata airbags

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Tasmania’s building and consumer regulator, Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, has released Edition 2 of its Consumer Connections Magazine. As well as providing advice specific to Tasmanians applying for building approvals and lodging complaints against service providers, the magazine includes great tips for all consumers. Safety in the home, how to choose a suitable NBN…

Read More Consumer Connections Magazine out now

A nursing chair and a baby's cot in a nursery 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

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 receipt for grocery items. In the background are grocery items A receipt for grocery items. In the background are grocery items

CFA has written to the federal Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael Sukkar MP, asking him to release the government’s plans for the regulations that require large supermarkets to provide shoppers with the unit price of pre-packaged grocery products. The current regulations, which commenced on 1 July 2009, will sunset on 1 October 2019 unless renewed…

Read More CFA asks Federal Government to release its plans for unit pricing regulation

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The ACCC is inviting interested parties to comment on the Humane Farm Animal Care’s application to register a certification trademark (CTM) in Australia. The CTM intends to certify that animal derived products bearing the mark have complied with a range of Humane Farm Animal Care’s livestock and poultry welfare standards.  The mark bears the words…

Read More Humane Farm Animal Care application to register a CTM: invitation to comment

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The first ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) will be celebrated on 7 June 2019 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. As an initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the…

Read More World Food Safety Day

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Consumers have a right to be electrically safe when they buy electrical products, despite the enormous growth in online stores. Tested and compliant products would have this RCM mark on them, giving assurance that they meet Australian standards. The recent ruling where a importer and online seller was fined $1.2 million is a stark reminder…

Read More Check the safety of electrical products – does it have this mark?