Post thumbnail
Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) depends on the volunteers who represent CFA on Standards Australia Technical Committees as part of the CFA Standards Project and on a range of Government and Industry bodies. During National Volunteer Week, CFA acknowledges their contribution and thanks them for their commitment and hard work in supporting the interests of consumers. The theme for…
Read More National Volunteer Week
Post thumbnail
There are a number of facilities with summer toboggan runs operating in Australia. Summer toboggans are an amusement or recreational ride which uses a sled or cart to run down a track usually built on the side of a hill. The type of track, safety features, speed and layout vary. The two new standards open…
Read More Public comment invited on draft standards for summer toboggan runs
Post thumbnail
Involved in any building works? The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out the minimum requirements and provides uniform technical standards for design and construction of new building work (including in existing buildings), plumbing and drainage across all Australian States and Territories. A FREE copy of the NCC is available here. NCC Volume 2 contains the requirements for residential and non-habitable…
Read More Involved in building works – What does the National Construction Code mean?
child playing with toys
As online shopping becomes the new norm consumers should be aware of the product safety risks in the online marketplace. According to the OECD Global Awareness Campaign toys and games are one of the most recalled products and may pose serious safety risks to consumers, accounting for over 20% of recall notices published. The ACCC is co-leading the OECD Global…
Read More Shop safely online for toys and games
Post thumbnail
Most plastics are made to be used once before being discarded and consumer awareness of the plastics crisis is growing around the world. On average, Australians use 130 kg of plastic per person each year and up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way into our waterways and into the ocean. The good news is…
Read More World Consumer Rights Day (15 March 2021) ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’
Post thumbnail
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code has been amended to introduce new requirements for the labelling of allergens in food. The changes will make allergen information on food labels clearer and more consistent for consumers by requiring simple, plain English allergen declarations in a specific format and location on food labels. The key features…
Read More New requirements for labelling of allergens on packaged foods
Three people talking at a desk
Women are widely under-represented in developing the standards that affect so many areas of our lives, from the products we consume every day to the technologies needed to address a wide range of sustainability challenges. Many of these standards do not adequately address how women and men may be affected differently, for example ill-fitting personal protective…
Read More Women in standards development – International Women’s Day 2021 March 8 “Choose to challenge”
Post thumbnail
Australia’s Energy Star Rating scheme provides consumers with useful information about the relative energy efficiency of a product. The more stars a product gets, the more energy efficient it is compared to other models of the same size or capacity. The energy star rating of an appliance is determined by its energy consumption, using the relevant Australian Standard for measuring energy consumption…
Read More Public comment invited on updates of the energy efficiency labelling requirements for dishwashers and dryers
An electric car being charged
Electric vehicles (that use minimal to no fuel) are becoming more popular and Australian consumers need to feel confident electric transportation will meet the challenges facing the Australian landscape, such as the size of our county or capability of our electricity grid. According to the Australian Electric Vehicle Market Study Report Electric Vehicles (EVs) are expected to…
Read More Why an electric vehicle?
Post thumbnail
Not all cyber security risks can be addressed by governments and industry — individuals should also take steps to protect themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how much Australians interact and work online, trusting the internet for healthcare, working from home, education, entertainment and online shopping. Protecting you and your family online is about more than avoiding…
Read More Cyber security — your responsibility
Post thumbnail
The COVID-19 epidemic has raised concerns around supply chains and the need for more innovation. So how can organisations be innovative enough in order to deal with an increasingly uncertain world? Standards Australia has recently published three AS ISO standards on Innovation management — about guidance, vocabulary, and tools and methods for innovative partnerships. A Consumers Federation…
Read More Innovate or perish —Standards Australia publishes standards on innovation management
Post thumbnail
Under certain circumstances, open flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide into buildings. Malfunctioning, poorly or infrequently serviced open flued gas space heaters in residential settings have resulted in the deaths of three Victorians since 2010. Your views are being sought on the Regulatory Impact…
Read More Phase out of open flued gas space heaters — have your say