Two new mandatory standards were introduced on 18 July 2024.
The standards aim to reduce the risk of death and injury from products that babies do or may fall asleep in.
From 19 January 2026, businesses must comply with these standards. There is a transition period for businesses to prepare to meet the new requirements.
The mandatory safety standard applies to infant sleep products. These products are designed and marketed for use by an infant for the purpose of sleep.
They include products that soothe or settle an infant, and have a surface on which a baby may sleep.
Infant sleep products include, but are not limited to:
Where certain inclined products are designed and marketed for use by an infant for the purpose of sleep, they are also infant sleep products.
Some examples of these products are:
The mandatory information standard applies to all infant sleep products.
It also applies to products designed for infants that have an inclined surface, which an infant may lie on. This applies even if the product isn't designed or marketed for infant sleep.
The mandatory standards do not apply to:
The mandatory safety standard applies to design, construction, performance and testing requirements for infant sleep products.
The mandatory information standard requires warnings and safety information on infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products. This will provide consumers with important messaging on safe sleeping and product suitability.
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.
An infant sleep product must have enough strength and integrity to safely support an infant.
The surface of an infant sleep product must not have an incline greater than 7 degrees to the horizontal. It must be flat and not be curved.
The sleep surface, including the mattress, must be sufficiently firm and rigid.
An infant sleep product that rocks or swings must not have a tilt or incline greater than 7 degrees to the horizontal.
The mesh or fabric sides of an infant sleep product must be firm enough so it doesn’t cover the infant’s nose or mouth which could cause suffocation. It must also be made of material a baby can breathe through.
An infant sleep product must not have sharp points or edges which may puncture a baby’s skin, or gaps that can trap their head, neck, limbs or fingers.
It must not have a restraint system, harness or strap.
If fitted with castors or wheels, at least 2 must be fitted with brakes.
If an infant sleep product has a locking mechanism, it must have a clearly distinct locked position. It must be apparent that the mechanism is engaged and can only be disengaged on purpose.
Household cots must also comply with additional specific requirements for construction, dimensions, footholds, impact, entrapment, stability and strength.
Cots with drop sides must also comply with requirements for design of the access fastening device, drop side guides, strength, stability and durability.
Household cots must meet the requirements of one of the following:
These standards have similar requirements addressing these issues but will vary according to specifics. Suppliers should choose which standard is most appropriate for their product.
Folding cots must also comply with additional specific requirements for design, construction, entrapment, stability and strength.
Folding cots must meet the requirements of one of the following:
Suppliers should choose which standard is most appropriate for their product.
Bassinets must also comply with additional specific requirements for side height, base width, entrapment, and materials.
The height of the bassinet must be at least 250 mm. This is measured from the sleep surface to the top edge of the lowest side or end.
If there are any gaps between filler bars or slats these should measure between 50 mm and 65 mm.
The bassinet must be able to safely contain a baby and be stable.
It must have a warning indicating that the bassinet shouldn’t be used once the infant begins to push up on their hands and knees or once the infant has reached the manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight.
The mandatory information standard applies to all infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products.
Information relating to the safe use of infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products must be supplied with the product. This includes information on assembly, how to use the product, recommended mattress size (if applicable) and warnings.
Markings indicating manufacturing origin must be provided on the product.
Warnings must be marked on products and include statements about:
Additional warnings must be marked on inclined non-sleep products to not use the product for infant sleep or not to leave infants unsupervised in the product.
Warnings must be marked on packaging for these products and must also be displayed online or in store.
The new safety and information standards were introduced on 18 July 2024. Suppliers have 18 months to comply with their new obligations.
For household cots and folding cots, suppliers can continue to comply with the existing mandatory standards for these products during the transition period.
From 19 January 2026, suppliers must comply with the new standards.
The Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024 sets out the requirements for the safety standard. The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.
The Consumer Goods (Infant Products) Information Standard 2024 sets out the requirements for the information standard. The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.
You can buy the voluntary standards that are referenced in the mandatory standard from Intertek Inform, Accuris or ASTM.
We can make a copy of these standards available for viewing at an ACCC office, subject to licensing conditions.
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.
