Hazard type

Choking
Suffocation

On this page

Risks and injuries from the product

Inflatable toys, novelties and furniture containing beads put children at risk of inhalation, choking and suffocation. This can lead to serious illness or death.

Inhaled or swallowed polystyrene beads do not show up on x-rays. This makes it very difficult for doctors to diagnose the cause of a related illness and to locate and remove the beads.

Products the ban applies to

Toys, novelties, and furniture that are inflatable can have loose beads or small particles inside. The beads or particles can be inhaled during inflation or deflation.

These products are made from soft plastics which can burst, puncture or weaken with age, enabling children access to the beads.

Polystyrene beads are an example of a bead that if contained in an inflatable toy, novelty, or furniture product, it would be banned.

Toys that may contain beads include:

  • inflatable toy hammers
  • balls
  • children’s chairs
  • plastic lounges and footstools.

View the full details of this ban at Consumer Protection Notice No. 13 of 2011.

What to do if a banned product is being sold

If you are supplying the product

If you become aware that you are supplying a banned or unsafe product, you must:

  1. immediately stop supplying the product
  2. conduct a product recall and let consumers know
  3. notify the ACCC within 2 days of taking recall action.

If you find the product for sale

If you’re aware of any banned or unsafe products being supplied in Australia, you can report the unsafe product to the ACCC.

Report an unsafe product

Penalties for supplying banned products

Supplying a banned product can result in the ACCC taking action. This may result in a:

  • fine
  • court enforceable undertaking
  • disqualification from being a company director
  • court action with penalties
  • product recall.