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How the product safety system works
There are thousands of product types available in Australia, produced by many brands. The product safety system relies on the cooperation of consumers, suppliers, and government agencies to support product safety.
The system has a combination of measures that support product safety. These include:
- voluntary actions by suppliers
- restrictions on selling unsafe goods
- information and education that allows consumers to choose and use safe products.
Product safety regulators
Different government agencies are responsible for monitoring and regulating the safety of different types of products:
- some government agencies cover specific products such as foods, drugs and chemicals
- Commonwealth, state and territory consumer protection agencies cover general consumer products that don't fit into specific categories
- local governments play a role in some sectors such as food.
When a product doesn’t easily come under a regulator’s responsibility, agencies will work together to find the best way to manage its safety.
Regulators of specific types of products
Certain government agencies monitor and regulate the safety of specific types of products.
Agriculture
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority - safety information about agricultural and veterinary chemical products.
Chemicals
Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) - safety information about industrial chemicals.
Therapeutic Goods Administration - safety information on chemicals used in therapeutic goods.
Electrical goods
Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council - information about the safety regulation of electrical goods in Australia and New Zealand.
State and territory electrical safety regulators - responsible for regulating the safety of electrical goods.
The ACCC has a role in supporting state and territory regulators to monitor electrical equipment recalls.
Food
Food Standards Australia New Zealand - safety information about food and grocery products.
State and territory food regulatory agencies - responsible for regulating the safety of food.
Gas appliances
Gas Technical Regulators Committee – safety information about gas appliances in Australia and New Zealand.
State and territory gas regulators – responsible for regulating the safety of gas appliances.
The ACCC has a role in supporting state and territory regulators to monitor gas appliance recalls.
Medicine and medical devices
Therapeutic Goods Administration - safety information about therapeutic goods.
The ACCC and the Therapeutic Goods Administration signed a memorandum of understanding, from 11 April 2023.
Transport
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts - safety information about road vehicles.
The ACCC and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts signed a memorandum of understanding from 1 July 2021.
Regulators of general consumer products
Products that fall outside the specific product categories are known as general consumer products. These are usually products for personal use around the home.
Product safety regulation for general consumer products is a shared responsibility between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and these state and territory agencies:
- Australian Capital Territory Fair Trading
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- New South Wales Fair Trading
- Northern Territory Consumer Affairs
- Queensland Fair Trading
- South Australia Consumer and Business Services
- Tasmania Consumer, Building and Occupational Services
- Western Australia consumer protection.
Product safety rules
There are rules for products to minimise risks.
These rules include:
- voluntary standards
- bans and mandatory standards
- recalls.
Voluntary standards
Many suppliers refer to voluntary standards when making products or buying stock.
These standards are designed to make sure products, services and systems are safe, reliable and consistently perform as intended. Suppliers do this to make sure that the goods they supply are safe. This prevents having to conduct recalls.
It’s not compulsory to meet requirements of voluntary standards.
A voluntary standard often exists where experts have already identified ways to address the safety problem. In these instances, the Australian Government may make all or part of the voluntary standard mandatory. It’s compulsory to comply with mandatory standards.
Bans and mandatory standards
Where evidence shows that consumer products are particularly risky, regulations are developed in the form of bans and mandatory standards.
Products are constantly changing because of new fashions, designs and technologies.
Regulators continually watch the market to identify and manage the risk of any unsafe products appearing on retail shelves and online. The cooperation of consumers and suppliers is essential in helping identify risky products that may need regulating.
A common misconception
People often think that all products sold in Australia must meet safety standards.
This isn’t correct. Bans and mandatory standards are only made when evidence shows a risk of serious injury, illness or death related to a product.
Recalls
When suppliers become aware of defective or unsafe products, they can lead a voluntary recall to remove the product from the marketplace. Under the Australian Consumer Law, a responsible minister can also order a compulsory recall.
The ACCC manages a national recalls system for specific and general consumer products. We publish all product recalls on this website.
Product liability
The product safety laws and liability and recall rules support the system of regulations and voluntary standards.
Role of international organisations
We work with our overseas counterparts to support the product safety system.
Several organisations promote international collaboration, including: