Products the mandatory standard applies to
Freestanding household furniture can be dangerous if it falls or topples over.
Warnings and safety information must be provided when supplying these 3 categories of furniture.
Category 1
A clothing storage unit or bookcase with a height of 686 mm or more. A clothing storage unit is an item of furniture intended to primarily store clothes. It has one or more doors or drawers.
Category 2
Entertainment units of any height typically used for housing televisions, home theatre systems or gaming consoles.
Category 3
Hall tables, display cabinets, buffets, and sideboards with a height 686 mm or greater.
Products the mandatory standard does not apply to
The mandatory standard excludes:
- furniture that was bought by a consumer and is being resold
- second-hand furniture, including furniture that was previously bought and used commercially
- furniture designed to be fastened to a wall or other structure and that can’t be used unless it’s attached.
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.
Supplier guidance
View further guidance on what suppliers must do to comply.
Suppliers must warn consumers about the risk of toppling furniture by:
- attaching permanent warning labels to furniture covered by the mandatory standard
- displaying point of sale warnings, both instore and online
- including information about the risk of toppling furniture in any instruction manuals provided with storage furniture.
Labelling
Clear graphic and plain English warnings, and safety information must be provided with furniture and at point of sale.
Warnings must include internationally recognised safety alert symbols and pictograms showing a child standing or climbing on the toppling furniture, with a cross or strikethrough.
The strikethrough can be of any colour.
A pictogram showing furniture anchored to a wall is also recommended but not a requirement.
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.
