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Business focused

FAQs in this category are business focused. They provide product safety and compliance information for suppliers.

General

I am a franchisee and have become aware of a serious injury caused by the use of a product I supply. Do I have to report this to the ACCC or can I rely on my franchisor to do so (if I tell them)?
Even if you tell your franchisor, you are still legally required to notify the ACCC yourself. H...
Does a supplier need to lodge a mandatory report with the ACCC when they advise a customer to consider seeking medical attention?
Scenario: A customer tells a supplier that they believe the use of a consumer good received from ...
I am a service agent involved in installation/repair/removal of goods. Does the mandatory reporting obligation apply to me?
Yes. The mandatory reporting obligation applies to all parties in a supply chain, including those...
Do I need to issue a written repair notice to consumers before I accept the goods for repairs?
Yes. As of 1 July 2011, if your business either repairs or accepts for repair consumer goods that...
Two days is not long for the mandatory reporting of a product-related death or injury - what if the incident occurs just before a long weekend?
The day on which the supplier becomes aware is not counted toward the two days. Additionally, i...
What is the difference between Australian standards and mandatory standards?
There are two key differences between voluntary standards (including Australian and international...
Does the ACCC test products for safety?
Where there is evidence that consumer products have or could cause injury or death, the governmen...
What types of business groups are relevant to consumer product safety?
Groups representing the interests of the following professions are relevant to consumer prod...
If there is a Standards Australia sticker or tag on the product does that mean the product complies with the mandatory standard?
Not necessarily. While mandatory standards are generally based on the voluntary standards develop...
Where can I get standards from, as well as guides on compliance, products and risk management?
Some details of mandatory standards as well as safety issues for other products are on this websi...
How do I choose a test company?
Any individual or business that offers tests for compliance with product standards should be able...
The Regulations require a cord guide to be designed so that it remains firmly attached to a wall when subjected to a tension force of 70 Newtons. Does this requirement also apply to cleats?
No, this requirement only applies to cord guides (a cleat is not a cord guide). Where a cle...
How many products in any batch or consignment do I need to check for compliance?
There is no one formula that can tell you how many or what sample of products need checking. Good...
How do I ensure that all my products comply if I deal in large numbers and varieties of product lines?
You will probably need specialist product safety compliance advice so that you can have in place ...
How do I know if a product complies with a mandatory standard?
Some products will state that the product complies and others will not. Ask the supplier and...

Bisphenol A in consumer products

What consumer products contain Bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in products made from polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate is ...
Is it OK to heat a plastic bottle that may contain Bisphenol A in the microwave?
Check the product instruction or ask the supplier if a bottle is suitable for heating in the micr...
Are plastic food or drink containers that contain Bisphenol A safe?
Yes. The weight of scientific evidence currently available supports the view that there is no kno...

Formaldehyde in consumer products

Is formaldehyde regulated in other countries?
Yes. There are current (2010) regulations for formaldahyde in a number of countries. Details are ...
What sorts of consumer products have formaldehyde in them?
Low levels of formaldehyde can be found in many products. Building materials Doors, solid com...

Glucomannan in tablet form

Can suppliers or consumers obtain a permit to import Glucomannan in tablet form?
It is not appropriate for the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs to issue a per...
Can I sell antique or collectable cots and do they need to meet the requirements of the mandatory standard?
Yes. But these cots can only be sold for display purposes and not to sleep in children in. While ...

Helmets

Are products such as half-cot co-sleepers, playpens, rigid bassinettes or other sleeping facilities covered by the household cot mandatory standard?
No, these sleeping products are not captured by the current mandatory standard definition. You sh...
What types of helmets have mandatory safety standards?
Bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets each have their own mandatory standard, meaning that there...
Does the household cots mandatory standard apply to second-hand household cots?
Yes. However, there is a specific set of requirements prescribed for second-hand cots under ...

Household cots

Are there mandatory standards for half-cot co-sleepers, playpens, rigid bassinettes or other sleeping facilities?
No, although there may be voluntary standards available in Australia or other countries that rela...

Infant & nursery

Are other sleeping facilities like bassinettes, carry cots and baby hammocks covered by another mandatory standard?
There are no mandatory standards for these products, although there may be voluntary standards av...

Phthalates in consumer products

Are there health concerns about plastic children’s products with more than 1 per cent DEHP?
The main health concern associated with DEHP is that animal studies have shown that high regular ...
Are phthalates regulated in other countries?
Certain phthalates are regulated in the: USA European Union USA On 14 August 2008, the ...

Prams & strollers

Are products like stroller tricycles (stroller trikes), bike trailers and other wheeled vehicles covered by the mandatory standard for prams and strollers? If not, are they covered by other standards?
They may be covered by the mandatory standard if they are designed and intended to transport chil...
Does the mandatory standard for prams and strollers apply to second-hand products or hire products?
Yes, the mandatory standard does apply to any business supplying prams and strollers.

Reduced fire risk cigarettes

When will the sale of non reduced-fire-risk cigarettes cease?
23 September 2010.
Do the laws for reduced fire risk cigarettes apply to loose tobacco and papers?
No. Certain products are exempt, including cigars and loose tobacco.

Tinted headlight covers

How are tinted headlight covers tested for compliance?
A test of tinted headlight covers for compliance would measure the amount of light or luminous tr...

Toys

I want to sell a new children’s toy. What do I need to know and do before I sell it?
There are many mandatory standards and bans relating to children’s toys that all suppliers must...

Treadmills

Does the treadmill warning label have to be of a particular size?
Yes. According to the mandatory standard, the word WARNING must be in bold upper case letters not...
Does the treadmill warning label need to be separate from any other warning?
Yes. The warning label needs to be seperate from any other warning.

Product categories

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Business focused

General

Bisphenol A in consumer products

Blind & curtain cords

Complying with the national corded internal window covering regulations

Bunk beds

Children's nightwear

Folding cots

Formaldehyde in consumer products

Glucomannan in tablet form

Helmets

Household cots

Infant & nursery

Phthalates in consumer products

Prams & strollers

Reduced fire risk cigarettes

Tinted headlight covers

Toys

Treadmills

I want to...