Products the mandatory standard applies to
Household cots include the following types:
- rectangular cots that are a permanent sleeping enclosure for a baby. It has raised sides and ends made of slats or filler bars. Often one side drops down to give easy access to a child
- circular cots made with walls that have no slats
- cots that convert to a toddler bed. When this type of cot is constructed as a cot, it must comply with the mandatory standard.
Complying with the mandatory standard
This information is an overview of how to comply with the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.
View the full detail of the mandatory standard.
Testing
The mandatory standard requires that cots meet requirements for impact, strength, load, durability and stability.
Suppliers should organise product testing through specialist testing laboratories.
New cots design and construction
Cots can have a ‘fixed base’ or up to 2 allowed base positions.
Fixed base cots and cots in the lowest base position
The distance between the top of the mattress base and the top edge of the lowest cot side or end must be a minimum of:
- 600 mm when the access is closed
- 250 mm when the access is open.
Cots in the upper base position
This distance between the top of the mattress base and the top edge of the lowest cot side or end must be a minimum of:
- 400 mm when the access is closed
- 250 mm when the access is open.
Slats or filler bars
The distance between slats or filler bars must be at least 50 mm.
Cot mattresses
Cot mattresses of the recommended size must be no more than:
- 20 mm from any cot side or end when centred on the mattress base
- 40 mm from any cot side or end when the mattress is pushed to one side or end.
Footholds or toeholds
The cot must not have any:
- footholds or toeholds between 150 mm and 550 mm above the mattress base
- protrusions or bits that stick out greater than 5 mm, unless they are designed not to snag clothing
- accessible sharp edges or points.
Safety and performance
Cots must not have any hazardous gaps:
- between 30 mm and 50 mm that can entrap a child’s limbs
- greater than 95 mm that could trap a child’s head or neck.
Informative labels
The cot must come with information about:
- safe assembly
- safe use
- recommended mattress size.
Suppliers must have the information required by the mandatory standard on the:
- leaflet with the cot
- swing tag or label attached to the cot
- external packaging that comes with the cot, and
- cot base.
Safety markings
Cots must have legible, durable and prominent markings on the mattress base which has information about:
- the supplier
- recommended mattress size and thickness
- recommended use of adjustable bases on cots that have this feature.
Second-hand cots requirements
Design and construction
Second-hand cots generally have the same design and construction requirements as new cots.
There are 3 exceptions:
- protrusions must be no greater than 8 mm
- there must be no gaps greater than 95 mm but there is no requirement preventing gaps between 30 mm and 50 mm
- there are no requirements for informative labels and safety markings.
Regardless of these exceptions, it is wise to only use second-hand cots that come with:
- full instructions for safe assembly and use
- all necessary parts in good working order.
When a product does not comply
Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard. For more information, see fines and penalties.
Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.
