This mandatory standard applies to household cots that are new, second-hand, antique, and collectable.
About household cots
Household cots can include the following types:
- rectangular cots (typically) that are a permanent sleeping enclosure for an infant or baby with raised sides and ends made of slats or filler bars. Often one side drops down to give easy access to a child
- circular cots that are made with walls that have no slats
- cots that convert to a toddler bed. When this type of cot is constructed to work as a cot, it must comply with the mandatory standard.
The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, labelling and testing of a cot.
Two new mandatory standards for infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products were introduced on 18 July 2024. They aim to reduce the risk of death and injury from products that babies do or may fall asleep in.
From 19 January 2026 suppliers of household cots must comply with the new standards. However, suppliers can continue to comply with this household cots mandatory standard until 18 January 2026.
Mandatory standard
Consumer Protection Notice No. 6 of 2005 sets out the mandatory requirements for household cots.
The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2172:2003 Cots for household use - safety requirements. AS/NZS 2172:2003 is available from SAI Global.
You must consult the mandatory standard for these details.
Key requirements
These requirements aim to give suppliers a general idea of what is required by the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.
Testing
The mandatory standard requires that cots meet requirements for impact, strength, load, durability and stability. It is recommended that suppliers organise product testing through specialist testing laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment to ensure cots comply with the mandatory standard.
Design and construction of new cots
Cots can either be ‘fixed base’ or have up to two 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 when the mattress is pushed to one side or end.
Footholds or toeholds
The cot must not have any:
- footholds or toeholds between 150 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 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 provide this information on:
- a leaflet with the cot
- a swing tag or label attached to the cot
- external packaging that comes with the cot
- the actual cot.
Safety markings
Cots must have legible, durable and prominent marking on the mattress base which provides information about:
- the supplier
- recommended mattress size and thickness
- recommended use of adjustable bases on cots that have this feature.
Second-hand cots
Second-hand cots have the same design and construction requirements as new cots. There are three 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 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.
Antique and collectable cots
It is illegal for retail, second-hand or antique shops and internet sites to supply antique and collectable cots that do not come with mandatory certificates and labels.
Certificates
The cot should be supplied with a certificate warning consumers that it is not safe to place a child in the cot.
Labels
Two permanently fixed metal plaques on the cot with the words:
Related resources
Household cots with wooden drop sides - Supplier bulletin
