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At least 500 children have ended up in hospital emergency departments in Australia between 2012 and 2017 due to injuries at indoor trampoline parks. The number of trampoline parks has soared past 80 in the past six years, but with lawsuits, catastrophic spinal injuries and even deaths overseas clouding the industry’s future, experts are urgently…
Read More Safety concerns for children at trampoline parks
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The following is an excerpt from an article that was originally published on The Conversation. Gardening is generally a healthy and pleasurable hobby or occupation. However, any activity carries some risk – and gardening is no exception. Potting mix is known to carry harmful bacteria and fungi. And there have been reports of deaths from diseases, such…
Read More Potting mix health risks
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Growing numbers of Australian consumers are opting for organic products, and should be able to feel confident that the ingredients are in fact organic. Many products carry a symbol, logo or other trade mark to show that they are certified organic. This certification is currently performed by 7 private bodies that are accredited by the Department…
Read More Don’t panic, it’s organic!
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The ACCC has today released guidance for egg producers on its approach to enforcing the new National Information Standard on free range eggs, which comes into effect on 26 April 2018. Under the new Standard, egg producers cannot use the words ‘free range’ on their egg cartons unless the eggs were laid by hens that:…
Read More ACCC releases guidance on free range egg standard
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Electric cars might finally be having their moment in Australia – as costs fall, Australia will inevitably see an electric car revolution. Surveys show up to half of Australian motorists would consider going electric the next time they buy a car however the most important factor that affects consumers’ decision to buy an electric car…
Read More Electric car revolution gains momentum, but will it last the distance?
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Republished from The Age, 19 January 2018 A five-year-old boy had his finger amputated after it was trapped in a trampoline, a 10-year-old girl hurt her back on a rail while playing a jumping game called “crack the egg”, and a three-year-old boy fell to the ground and fractured his leg. Those are among the…
Read More Consumer group Choice calls for mandatory safety standards for trampolines
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The following piece is an excerpt from a piece by Dr. Martin Gill, CFA’s representative on a number of Standards Australia Technical Committees on energy. Retailers should be required to provide sufficient information on bills (and tariff contracts) to ensure consumers can easily compare tariffs. It is also recommended a review be undertaken to determine…
Read More Dr Gill on Simplifying Tariff Comparisons
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In the race to adopt electric vehicles, Australia is sputtering along in the slow lane. Rather than growing, Australian sales of electric cars are actually in decline. In 2016 they represented just 0.02% of new car sales – even lower than in 2013. Contrast that with Norway, the country with the highest levels of electric…
Read More Why is Australia slow in adopting electric cars?
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Recently Standards Australia and the Australian Government – Department of Industry, Innovation and Science presented at the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) on the APEC Silver Economy Workshop and Recommendations Report APEC SCSC endorsed all four key recommendations: Recommendation One – APEC should accelerate and mainstream efforts in supporting ageing societies. Recommendation Two…
Read More Standards, Ageing Societies and the Silver Economy
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Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The best way to protect you and your family is to cover up when in the sun: the more skin you cover, the better the protection. Clothing…
Read More Helping Consumers Choose Better Sun Protection
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Product safety standards for exercise bikes and treadmills have been maintained to ensure the safety of users, Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack says. “As Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs, one of my highest priorities is for Australian consumers’ safety,” Mr McCormack said. “Australians should feel confident when they purchase a good, the item will operate…
Read More Safety Standards for Exercise Equipment Reviewed and Maintained
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Free onsite and offsite access to Australian standards online, is being made available via membership of the National Library of Australia and the State Library of your domicile. Check the status with the library for more details. *This service is no longer available. Standards Australia will fund and make available access to Australian Standards by…
Read More Free Access to Australian Standards