Food, Health and Product Safety Archives - Page 5 of 46 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

18 September , 2024

Consumer Groups Call on NIAA to Strengthen Remote Food Security Strategy

Mandatory code of practice, subsidies for food transportation and increased income support needed A coalition of consumer and indigenous groups is calling on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to better protect vulnerable residents in remote areas. The organisations have welcomed the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities, but they…

17 September , 2024

Space heaters – Have your say on performance comparisons of residential space heaters

There is currently no easy way for consumers to compare the energy use, energy efficiency, running cost or greenhouse gas emissions of different heater types, e.g. air conditioners (heat pumps), gas space heaters, and electric resistance heaters. Space heating accounts for around a third of residential energy use in Australia and New Zealand. Space heating…

12 September , 2024

Voluntary AI Safety Standard Available

A Voluntary AI Safety Standard has been made available by the Australian Government – it gives practical guidance to all Australian organisations on how to safely and responsibly use and innovate with artificial intelligence (AI). The standard consists of 10 voluntary guardrails that apply to all organisations throughout the AI supply chain and explain what…

9 September , 2024

New Rules for Triple Zero Services a Win for Public Safety

Changes to Triple Zero rules announced by Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland today are an important step to enhance public safety. ACCAN – Australia’s peak body for communications consumers – welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister that several new requirements will apply to mobile carriers in relation to the Triple Zero service. The range of…

6 September , 2024

Medical Authorities Urged to Address ‘ticking time bomb’ of 3G Shutdown on Medical Devices

Medical authorities must take urgent action to ensure that up to 200,000 medical implant recipients are aware of the health threat posed by the looming 3G network shutdown. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said the recent delay to the shutdown of the 3G network was to be applauded, but there was growing concern that people were…

6 September , 2024

“Stop dithering on older people’s rights” – Self-Advocates Urge MPs to Act Now on Aged Care Reform

Older people are urging a bipartisan approach from the Federal Government and Opposition to urgently introduce a new rights-based Aged Care Act. Organisations representing older Australians and their carers say the Aged Care Act needs to be introduced into Federal Parliament this sitting fortnight if laws are to be passed this year that address the…

4 September , 2024

Safe Infant Sleeping Practices

Sleep bub in a way that keeps their airways open and uncovered, so they can breathe easily, find out how here and watch the video. Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) involves infant inclined products and sleep environments that place an infant’s head above a horizontal position and pose serious safety concerns. Sleeping on an…

3 September , 2024

Fire Protection Month

Fire Protection Month serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the ongoing efforts to prevent tragedies from occurring in our communities. The impact of fire on individuals, communities and the environment are devastating. The Western Australian Department of Fire & Emergency Services has information about preventing a fire in the…

22 August , 2024

Inquiry into ‘big box’ retailer price setting

The Senate Standing Committee on Economics has recently opened an inquiry into the price setting of ‘big box’ retailers with submissions open now until 27 September 2024. The Committee’s Terms of Reference for the inquiry and subsequent report to the Australian Senate is: a. the market behaviours of such retailers, including price negotiation practices, abuse…

6 August , 2024

Safety Warnings Issued for Children’s Seat Head Straps and Self-Feeding Baby Bottles

The ACCC is investigating the safety of aftermarket children’s car seat head straps and baby bottle self-feeding devices, after the Assistant Treasurer issued Safety Warning Notices for each of the products. The safety warning notices warn consumers of the possible risks of injury or death to infants and children associated with the use of these products. “The ACCC…

26 July , 2024

TGA Consultation for Future Regulation of Assistive Technologies

The TGA is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the regulation of assistive technologies. The TGA is Australia’s government authority responsible for evaluating, assessing, and monitoring products that are defined as therapeutic goods including medicines, medical devices and biologicals to help Australians stay healthy and safe. The current provisions in the Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Determination…

26 July , 2024

Mandatory Safety Standards for Infant Products Introduced

The Albanese Government has implemented the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s recommendation to make new mandatory safety and information standards for infant sleep products. The ACCC estimates that parents tragically lose ten babies every year due to unsafe sleeping and inclined non?sleep products in Australia. The Government’s new mandatory standards will aim to reduce the…