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Products the mandatory standard applies to
A quad bike is also called an all-terrain vehicle or ATV. They are an off-road motorised vehicle that travels on 4 wheels. The seat is designed to be straddled by the operator and the bike has handlebars for steering control.
All vehicles that meet this description, including those that are propelled by a combustion engine or an electric engine, are quad bikes for the purposes of the mandatory standard.
The categories of quad bike includes:
- general use models, commonly marketed as utility, work or agricultural models
- youth models, also marketed as fun models
- transition models
- sports models.
Imported second-hand quad bikes are included in the mandatory standard. This is to make sure suppliers don’t import these vehicles to avoid complying with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Products the mandatory standard does not apply to
The mandatory standard doesn’t apply to second-hand quad bikes, except for those imported into Australia.
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 standard.
New quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes
Owner's manual and instructions
All new quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes must provide information in the owner’s manual or information handbook on the risk of rollover.
The owner’s manual, if complying with the US standard, or the instruction handbook, if complying with the European standard, accompanying the quad bike must also alert consumers to:
- the risk of rollovers
- when the risk of rollover is increased
- how best operate the quad bike safely in higher risk conditions.
A full list of information requirements is available in the European or US standard.
Spark arresters
New quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes must be fitted with a spark arrestor that conforms to the Australian Standard AS 1019-2000 or the US Standard 5100-1d.
Manufacturers will also need to make sure that their products meet any other applicable laws, such as the Victorian fire regulations.
Testing
All new quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes must
- be tested for lateral static stability, and
- display on a hang tag the angle at which the quad bike tips on to 2 wheels.
The mandatory standard specifies testing to make sure quad bikes comply with the requirements. Quad bike suppliers should organise product testing through specialist testing laboratories.
General use quad bikes must be tested using the lateral roll tilt test procedure in Schedule 1 of the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 to obtain the minimum tilt table angle displayed.
General use and sports quad bikes are tested with a test dummy, or an anthropomorphic test device seated on the quad bike.
Youth and transition quad bikes are tested without an anthropomorphic test device.
The mandatory standard does not set out the methods for testing operator protection devices (OPDs).
See more information on product testing.
Warning label
New quad bikes and imported second-hand quad bikes must have a rollover warning label affixed so that when the quad bike is used, it is clearly visible and legible.
Quad bikes must have a permanent rollover warning label that is fixed so it is clearly visible when the quad bike is used. This is in addition to the warning labels required in the ANSI/SVIA 1-2017 or EN 15997:2011.
Quad bike warning label
This image is a warning label. This label must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Yellow hang tag
A lateral stability hang tag must be attached to quad bikes so that it is clearly visible and legible at the point of sale.
The hang tag must record the minimum angle the quad bike tipped sideways on to 2 wheels. The hang tag must also include the manufacturer and model of the quad bike tested.
Quad bike hang tag
This image is an example of the stability test result. This hang tag must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
The hang tag allows consumers to compare the stability of different models within a particular category of quad bikes. It gives information about the minimum angle at which the quad bike tipped sideways on to 2 wheels when it was tested on a tilt table by the manufacturer. Quad bikes with higher numbers, or bigger tilt table angles, are more stable.
These values are not intended to be used to compare models from different categories, for example, to compare general use quad bikes with youth quad bikes.
General use quad bikes
Stability requirements
All general use quad bikes must also meet minimum stability requirements.
General use quad bikes are required to meet the minimum stability requirements of:
- lateral roll stability — a minimum Tilt Table Ratio (TTR) of 0.55 (must not tip on to 2 wheels on a slope less than 28.81 degrees)
- front and rear longitudinal pitch stability — a minimum TTR of 0.8 (must not tip on to 2 wheels on a slope less than 38.65 degrees).
At this stage, the minimum stability requirements don’t apply to youth, transition or sports quad bikes due to the lack of research on design changes for these categories.
Operator protection device (OPD) requirements
All general use quad bikes must also be fitted with an operator protection device (OPD) or have one integrated into its design.
An operator protection device helps protect riders from the risk of death or serious injury from being crushed or pinned under a quad bike in the event of a rollover.
General use quad bikes must be fitted with an operator protection device or have one integrated into its design, such as:
- an ATV Lifeguard
- a Quadbar
- a device of a type that offers the same, or better, level of protection for operators from the risk of serious injury or death because of being crushed or pinned in the event of a rollover.
At this stage, youth and sports quad bikes aren’t required to be fitted with an operator protection device. This is due to the lack of testing of after-market operator protection devices that are designed for these categories.
View further information about operator protection device (OPD) benefits and requirements.
Quad bike supplier guidance
All businesses in the supply chain are responsible for making sure that the quad bikes supplied comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
This includes manufacturers, importers and distributors supplying into Australia, and retailers supplying to consumers.
Read additional information for suppliers
We provide additional information to help suppliers comply with the standard.
View our video guidance for suppliers
Video transcript
TEXT: Quad bike safety standard from October 2020
NARRATOR: From October 11 2020, all new and second-hand imported quad bikes must comply with a new safety standard. If you're an Australian quad bike supplier, you must ensure they meet this standard, or fines and penalties may apply.
TEXT: Quad bike safety standard applies to all quad bike suppliers
NARRATOR: So, check they meet certain requirements of the US or European standards; Check there's a permanent warning label that tells the user of situations that increase the risk of rollover;
VISION: Close-up of a warning label, text reading 'Check warning label'.
NARRATOR: Check the owner's manual covers these risks as well.
VISION: Pan out to the quad bike, text reading 'Check owner's manual'.
NARRATOR: And check you've put a yellow hang tag on every quad bike.
VISION: Close-up to a hang tag, text reading 'Check yellow hang tag'.
NARRATOR: It shows the angle that model began to tip onto two wheels.
TEXT: From October 2021; Minimum stability requirements; Fitted with an operator protection device.
NARRATOR: In addition, from October 11 2021, new and second-hand imported utility quad bikes must meet minimum stability requirements, and be fitted with a quad bar or ATV lifeguard, or a device ensuring similar protection. To have confidence your quad bikes comply with the standard, ask for test reports from your supplier, or do your own tests. Learn more at productsafety.gov.au/quadbikesafety.
TEXT: More information: productsafety.gov.au/quadbikes
NARRATOR: Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.
Mandatory standard details
The Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 sets out the mandatory requirements for quad bikes.
The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the:
- American National Standard for Four Wheel All-Terrain Vehicles – Equipment, Configuration, and Performance Requirements (ANSI/SVIA 1 – 2017), or
- European Standard for All Terrain Vehicles (ATV-Quads) Safety Requirements and Test Methods (EN 15997:2011)
and incorporates certain sections of:
- Australian Standard AS 1019‑2000: Internal combustion engines - Spark emission control devices, or United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Standard 5100-1d: Standard for Spark Arresters for Internal Combustion Engines, and
- US Military Standard MIL‑S‑13192.
You can buy the Australian, European and US military standard at Intertek Inform.
You can buy the American National Standard for Four Wheel All-Terrain Vehicles at Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.
The ACCC can make a copy of these standards available for viewing at one of its offices, subject to licensing conditions.
The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Standard is available for free at the United States Forest Service.
When a product does not comply
Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with the mandatory safety or information standard.
Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.