Product Safety Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

16 September , 2025

Bunk Beds Standard open for public comment

Children are at serious risk of injury if bunk beds are poorly made or assembled. Serious injuries that can happen include fractures, concussion, and strangulation. Standards Australia has released a revised draft standard DR AS/NZS 4220:2025 Bunk beds and other elevated beds for Public Comment (see below). This Standard specifies strength, durability, stability and general…

9 September , 2025

New eSafety Commission Codes Focus on Child Protection

The eSafety Commissioner has registered new industry-drafted codes which aim to better protect children from a range of harmful and age-inappropriate content, including the clear and present danger posed by mostly unregulated AI-driven companion chatbots. Many of these chatbots are capable of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with minors, and have been alleged to also…

3 September , 2025

New consumer safety guide – Button Batteries

Accidental swallowing of a button or coin battery, by a pet or child, can result in severe injury or death, especially when the battery becomes lodged in the oesophagus. Standards Australia has launched a new free Consumer Reference Guide on Button Batteries to improve public access to the latest expert consumer advice aimed at preventing common…

15 July , 2025

Landmark Standard to Empower and Protect Children in the Metaverse

The Metaverse, an innovative complex virtual environment that’s emerging as the next online frontier, is fraught with risks to children including online bullying, grooming, and identity theft. The new landmark Australian standard AS 5402:2025 Children’s Safety in the Metaverse provides a framework for advancing children’s safety in the Metaverse with a focus on privacy and accessibility.…

9 May , 2025

Infringement notices issued for button battery information standard breaches

Australian fast-food franchise Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd has paid penalties totalling $150,240 after the ACCC issued it with eight infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law by failing to comply with the mandatory button battery information standard. The infringement notices relate to a Garfield toy powered by button batteries that was supplied…

7 May , 2025

Mandatory information standard for toppling furniture now in affect

Furniture suppliers are now required to provide safety warnings to consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture after the mandatory information standard for toppling furniture came into effect on 4 May 2025. Since the year 2000 at least 28 people, including 17 children under five, have died in Australia from toppling furniture and televisions. Each year more…

6 May , 2025

Advisory Committee openings at the Therapeutic Goods Administration

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking applications from professionals with relevant expertise in medicine and science, and consumers with relevant expertise in consumer perspectives and issues. Successful applicants will contribute significantly towards the TGA’s regulatory functions by providing independent expert advice on matters across a broad spectrum of issues relating to medicines, medical…

14 March , 2025

Flood and high rainfall safety for e-mobility devices

eMobility Australia is issuing an urgent safety warning to residents and organisations in Queensland and New South Wales following recent flooding events. The organisation highlights the significant risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, e-scooters, and golf carts/buggies exposed to floodwaters. Floodwater, whether fresh or saltwater, can severely damage lithium-ion batteries, leading to potential fires,…

20 December , 2024

Resources for Consumer News, Safety, and Emergency Services

With the end of the year many of us are taking leave, but the consumer world never stops and, especially for product safety purposes (or to make sure the consumer voice is heard in consultations), it can be important to keep an eye out for news. Below are some websites which may have important consumer…

19 December , 2024

New Microplastics Standard Open for Comment

Microplastics are filling up our oceans, turning up everywhere from Antarctic ice sheets to the depths of ocean trenches. Unfortunately it is very hard to quantify the amount of microplastics entering our oceans, as these tiny particles are hard to track, what we do know is that any amount of these plastics can be dangerous…

16 December , 2024

Consumer Affairs Ministers Set 2025 Agenda, Consumer Protection to remain at the forefront

Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Consumer Affairs Ministers met on Tuesday 10 December 2024 to renew their commitment to strengthen consumer protections across the country. Ministers attending the meeting, chaired by Commonwealth Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, acknowledged the substantial progress on key reforms to the Australian Consumer Law over the past year, including work to strengthen…

26 November , 2024

Child-Resistant Packaging – Draft Standard Open for Public Comment

Child-resistant packaging is used to create a physical barrier between a child and a potentially hazardous product. Various types of packaging are recognized as being child-resistant, based on performance testing against standards for specific product categories and packaging types. Since this type of packaging was introduced, the incidence of accidental ingestion of potentially hazardous products…