On May 3, 2024, the Australian Government announced a new mandatory information standard aimed at improving consumer safety by requiring suppliers to provide labels with safety warnings and advice on preventing household furniture from toppling over.
Introduction to The Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard
The Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard is a new regulation in Australia that mandates suppliers to include safety warnings and advice on preventing toppling furniture incidents before, during, and after purchase.
This requirement applies to the following categories of furniture:
- Category 1: Bookcases or clothing storage units with a height of 686 mm or more.
- Category 2: Entertainment units of any height, including those housing televisions, gaming consoles, and home theatre systems.
- Category 3: Display cabinets, hall tables, buffets, and sideboards with a height of 686 mm or more.
Key Requirements of the New Standard
Suppliers must warn consumers about the risks of toppling furniture through the following measures:
- Permanent Warning Labels: These labels must be durable, lasting the product’s lifetime, and must be visible when the furniture is empty. They should include internationally recognized safety alert symbols and pictograms.
Images from Product Safety Australia
- Point of Sale Warnings: Warnings must be displayed both in-store and online, included in the product description, and displayed near or on the product when sold in-store.
- Instruction Manuals: Manuals must include information about the risks of toppling furniture.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has provided examples of compliant permanent warning labels and point-of-sale warnings in its published guidance.
Images from Product Safety Australia
Which Products are Excluded from The Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard?
Several exemptions exist under the new standard, including furniture that is resold, designed to be fastened to a wall or other structures, and second-hand furniture.
Impact on Businesses
The mandatory standard will take effect on May 4, 2025, with a 12-month transition period for suppliers to implement these new requirements. Non-compliant products with a mandatory safety or information standard may be subject to fines and penalties once the standard is in effect.
For more information about the new standard and its implications, click here. To ensure your business is compliant with the new changes, contact the HQTS product compliance department.
