Does the ACCC test products for safety?

Where there is evidence that consumer products have or could cause injury or death, the government regulates them. The ACCC has a market surveillance program that involves random product safety surveys which make sure suppliers are complying with regulations. These surveys can be reactive (to an identified product safety issue) or proactive (to prevent product safety issues from occurring).

While the ACCC tests many products as part of its market surveillance program, the onus for meeting product safety laws rests with suppliers.

Suppliers must ensure they test their products or buy products that have already been tested to comply with regulations. For more information on testing products to meet safety standards see the page on product testing.

Consumers also need to be mindful of unsafe products by choosing and using them wisely. The page on the role of consumers provides information on how consumers play an important role in product safety.