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New unit pricing standard empowers consumers Consumers have been equipped with a new tool making buying decisions easier with products now able to be compared on a fairer level, thanks to an international effort spearheaded by Australian experts including Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative Ian Jarratt. The recently published International Standard, ISO 21041:2018, Guidance on…
Read More Pricing it right
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The trampoline park industry in Australia has grown from a few centres in 2012 to over 80 open today. With this increase in popularity comes a higher chance of injury, and a greater role for standards to play in minimising risks that might lead to such injuries. Read more here Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative…
Read More New standard to help minimise risks at trampoline parks
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International Volunteer Day (IVD) 5 December 2018, “Volunteers build resilient communities”, recognises volunteers worldwide – with a special focus on local community volunteers – who contribute to making their communities more resilient against natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks. The campaign theme combines the recognition of volunteers with concrete evidence from the State of the World’s…
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The UK and Australian energy markets are remarkably similar. In both markets a smart meter rollout is currently underway. Comparing the rights the UK regulator gives UK consumers to control their smart meter, against the total lack of control the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) offers Australian consumers, is enlightening. In this article by Dr Martin…
Read More Who controls the data your smart meter collects about you?
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The number of smart products and objects connected to the internet is rapidly expanding. Worryingly, some products are so insecure that someone with minimal hacking skills can access cameras and microphones, communicate directly with people in the house or access other devices in the home. Consumers International and the Internet Society have produced a video and some practical advice…
Read More Smart products – protect yourself and your family from risks
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Recent surveillance activities by the ACCC have identified many convertible tricycle strollers did not have important safety features such as brakes, appropriate harnesses, tether straps or suitable warnings required under the standard. There are a wide variety of tricycles currently for sale in the market. Some tricycles closely resemble a traditional tricycle (sometimes with a…
Read More Convertible tricycle strollers – have your say
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Like natural gas, hydrogen can be used to heat buildings and power vehicles. Unlike natural gas or petrol, when hydrogen is burned there are no CO2 emissions. The only by-products are water vapour and heat. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, not freely available as a gas on Earth but bound into…
Read More Hydrogen – A fuel for the 21st century
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We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. We do not yet know just how it will unfold, but one thing is clear: the…
Read More 4th Industrial Revolution – how does this affect me?
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World Standards Day is celebrated on the 14 October each year – to raise awareness about the importance of standards and pay tribute to the thousands of experts worldwide who help develop the voluntary agreements that are published as international standards, read more here. Just as standards were crucial during the first industrial revolution, over 250…
Read More World Standards Day 2018 “International standards and the 4th industrial revolution”
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A lot of people do not realise how significant injuries can be while having fun at a Trampoline Park – read more here. Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative, John Furbank is on the Standards Australia Technical Committee SF-051 which has developed part 1 of a new Australian Standard on trampoline parks. Speak up for Australians by participating…
Read More Trampoline Parks and Injuries
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Improving customer service, productivity and efficiency are just a few of the many benefits of a service management system. ISO has updated two standards in its service management series, with new features, topics and tips from the top. Read more here. Consumers Federation of Australia has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee IT-030…
Read More IT Service management standards improve business processes and decision making
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More than 7,400 eyeliner products believed to contain lead have been seized by inspectors. Consumers are being warned to take care when purchasing cosmetics after testing by New South Wales Health of the eyeliners branded as ‘Hashmi Surma Special’ and ‘Hashmi Kohl Aswad’, revealed high levels of lead and other dangerous metals, including arsenic and…
Read More Take care when purchasing cosmetics