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Products the mandatory standard applies to
Swimming and flotation aids come in several forms. Children can either:
- wear them
- have them attached to their bodies
- sit in them.
Swimming and flotation aids can help children gain confidence in the water. They also help with buoyancy during swimming lessons.
Swimming and flotation aids can be, but are not limited to:
- armbands or cuffs
- attached rings
- seats
- swimming vests.
The mandatory standard applies to swimming and flotation aids designed for children under 14 years of age.
There is a separate mandatory standard for aquatic toys. Swimming and flotation aids are not aquatic toys.
Products the mandatory standard does not apply to
The mandatory standard excludes:
- a flotation toy
- an unattached flotation device
- an article designed only for therapeutic use
- an article designed for use by people with a disability
- a personal flotation device for use in boating or other recreational water activities.
Complying with the mandatory standard
The mandatory standard sets out design and construction, performance, testing and marking requirements for swimming and flotation aids.
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.
Design and construction
The mandatory standard sets out requirements for design and construction, including:
- finish
- source of buoyancy
- valves
- metal parts
- migration of certain elements
- webbing or tapes
- sewed fabric
- small parts.
Performance
The mandatory standard outlines requirements to prevent incidences of failure and degradation.
This includes:
- buoyancy of flotation aids
- strength of attachment assembly
- resistance to heat
- valves
- resistance to leakage and bursting
- resistance of marking to abrasion
- resistance of marking to chlorinated water and ultraviolet light
- buoyancy of cellular material
- fastener security
- sequence of testing.
Testing
To make sure swimming and flotation aids comply suppliers must undertake the tests that are required by the mandatory standard. Suppliers should organise product testing through specialist testing laboratories.
Markings
A swimming and flotation aid must be supplied with:
- instructions for safe use, how to fit the aid correctly, care and maintenance and markings.
- a permanent warning statement on it.
These markings highlight to parents and carers the risk of relying on swimming and flotation aids as a safety device.
The warnings must state the following.
Flotation aids warning
For all flotation aids, except swimming aid vests:
WARNING WILL NOT PROTECT AGAINST DROWNING USE ONLY UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION
Flotation aids warning label
This is an example of the flotation aids safety warning statement.
The safety warning statement must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Swimming aid vests warning
For swimming aid vests, use the following words:
WARNING WILL NOT PROTECT AGAINST DROWNING USE ONLY UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION NOT FOR USE IN BOATING
Swimming aids vest warning label
This is an example of the swimming aid vests safety warning statement.
The safety warning statement must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Packaging markings
Package marking must be clear and visible and should state the following information:
- the purpose of the swimming and flotation aid
- the age and body mass range of the person for whom the swimming and flotation aid is designed.
Where a swimming and flotation aid is sold without packaging, the above marking must be on any shipping outer or display unit in which the product is displayed at the point of sale. If a removable label is attached to the product and there is no other packaging, the marking requirements will apply to the label.
Extra information
Swimming and flotation aids must be supplied with information about using the product safely.
It must be marked on the packaging or in a leaflet or booklet supplied with the aid.
The information must include the following:
- how to fit the aid correctly
- for inflatable flotation aids, that the flotation aid should be fully inflated
- a reminder of the requirement for the wearer to be under constant, competent supervision. The supervisor should be within arm’s reach of the wearer, and that the flotation aid will not prevent drowning
- how to check the aid for signs of wear and tear, and when to replace the aid
- care and storage of the aid.
Mandatory standard details
The Consumer Goods (Swimming and Flotation Aids) Safety Standard 2017 sets out the mandatory requirements for swimming and flotation aids.
The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.
The mandatory standard is based on requirements of the voluntary Australian standard AS/NZS 1900:2014 Flotation aids for water familiarisation and swimming tuition.
You can buy AS/NZS 1900:2014 standard from Standards Australia, Intertek Inform or Accuris.
We can make a copy of this standard available for viewing at an ACCC office, subject to licensing conditions.
When a product does not comply
Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard.
Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.