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Safetyzone Spring 2021

Safetyzone

Welcome to the Spring 2021 edition of Safetyzone, the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) product safety newsletter.

Features

Will you be getting spooky this Halloween?

Halloween has become increasingly popular in Australia over the last decade, and what’s not to love?  With ghoulish costumes, sweet treats galore and frightfully fun decorations, it really is custom-built for kids.

If you are planning some Halloween fun with your family this year, there are some things you can do to prevent it turning into Halloween hell.

Look for ingredient labelling

If you want to add some extra ghoul to your family’s costumes with fake tattoos, face paint, makeup or fake blood, you should check they come with ingredients labels and keep them handy throughout the night.

If someone in your group has an allergic reaction to a product, having a list of ingredients available for doctors can save them vital time when determining how to treat them.

Check that any light up or musical novelties are child-proof

When buying light up or musical Halloween novelties that are powered by button batteries, you should check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent little ones gaining access to the battery.

The statistics on button batteries aren’t pretty, with one child a month sustaining a serious injury from swallowing or inserting button batteries.

Products that comply with mandatory standards designed to keep little ones safe will have secure battery compartments and safety labelling.

Avoid disappearing into the night

If you or your children will be donning black or other dark coloured costumes for Halloween, you could be hard to see in the dark. To ensure drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you, add glow sticks or a reflective strip to your costumes and carry a torch.

Check the fire rating on costumes and wigs

It goes without saying that people would want their costumes to have a low risk of catching fire, especially with all the jack-o-lanterns lighting up the night. But in all the excitement, how many of us actually check the fire rating on what we are wearing?

The best way to ensure costumes, wigs and other accessories are a low fire risk is to look for labels that state the product is ‘flame resistant’ or ‘fire resistant’; and avoid products that carry warnings such as ‘keep away from flame’ or ‘Warning! Keep away from fire’.

Also avoid loose fitting costumes, particularly if you or your little ones will be around candles.

For more information on product safety, visit our website or Product Safety Australia.

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Operation Safe Christmas 2021 is underway

Just like the Christmas decorations popping up in stores, the Office of Fair Trading is in Christmas mode, with the launch of our annual ‘Operation Safe Christmas’ campaign.

Between September and December each year, our inspectors visit hundreds of stores and markets across Queensland to hunt down unsafe, non-compliant children’s toys.

Toy suppliers must ensure their products are safe and meet any relevant mandatory safety standards. If they don’t, our inspectors can seize the products (without payment) and commence enforcement action.

In addition, any unsafe toys that have already been sold may have to be recalled, which can be time consuming and expensive, and not something you want to be doing during peak retail season.

The penalties for supplying consumer products that do not comply with mandatory standards or are banned can be substantial—up to $10,000,000 for a company and $500,000 for an individual.

For more information on toy safety for businesses and consumers, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Congratulations to our Expo winners!

Congratulations to Mike and Stephanie, the excited winners of our 2021 Parents, Babies and Children’s Expo competition prize – a car seat suitable for children aged 12 months to eight years! And just in time too. The car seat will be used by the couple’s older child, freeing up space for their new little bundle on the way.

Mike and Stephanie beat 967 other entrants who attended our stall at the expo to break their ‘never won a competition prize’ streak.

The Office of Fair Trading joined 73 other exhibitors and more than 10,400 attendees at the expo, speaking to both traders and consumers about product safety, with our Safety Wise height chart again proving to be the most popular take away.

If you missed any of the material on offer at our stall, you can download copies from our website.

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Planning a getaway with your little one?

If your next family getaway will include an infant or toddler and a portable cot, there are some things you need to be aware of.

Whether you buy, borrow or rent a portacot, it’s important you check it is safe to use every time you use it.

As a consumer, you are unlikely to be across the mandatory Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2195) designed to keep your little ones safe, but you can follow our simple checks outlined below.

Look for the compliance label

If you are hiring a cot or using one supplied by your accommodation provider, look for a label or sticker that says that it complies with the mandatory standard.

Compliance labels must be permanently, prominently, and legibly marked on the inside so that you can see the markings when you are erecting the cot. The label must include:

  • instructions for assembling and locking procedures
  • a warning to check before each use that the cot is correctly assembled and that locking devices are fully engaged
  • either a warning to only use a mattress of specified dimensions or a warning to only use the mattress supplied with the product – both are acceptable
  • a warning not to add an extra mattress as this may cause suffocation.

Check the mattress

When it comes to mattresses, you should only ever use the thin, firm, well-fitting mattress that is supplied with the cot, no matter how tempting it is to make the cot more ‘cosy’. The mattress supplied with the cot is designed specifically to keep your little one safe and prevent them becoming trapped face down in gaps between the mattress and the cot’s sides where they can suffocate.

Never add a second mattress or additional padding under or over the supplied mattress, and do not place bumpers, soft bedding, or toys in the cot.

Keep away from blind cords and check any attachments

Be picky about where you set up your portacot, ensuring it is away from any blind or curtain cords that could get tangled around the baby’s neck. Likewise, do not allow any attachment straps to hang inside the cot.

Check that any attachable change tables and bassinets are fitted correctly and remove them when you’re not using them.

Follow the instructions

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, including any safety warnings.

If you are buying or using a second-hand cot, ensure it comes with full instructions for safe assembly and use.

Check for wear and tear

You should check for wear and tear each time you use a portacot. This is as simple as checking the cot’s mesh is intact, the mattress lies flat against the base with no gaps, and there are no broken parts or mechanisms.

More information

For up-to-date safety information, including product recall alerts, bans, and safety advice, consumers and businesses can subscribe to Product Safety Australia’s email alerts. You can choose which products you want to receive information about so you only receive information that is important to you.

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Tips for buying safe toys for infants and toddlers

Our inspectors may be out and about hunting down unsafe toys in the lead up to Christmas, but it is still important that people understand what to look out for when shopping for the little ones in their lives.

We’ve put together the following tips so you can give a safe surprise this holiday season.

Check toys are age-appropriate

Infants and toddlers are particularly at risk from toys with small parts that can break away because they tend to explore items using their mouths and their gag reflexes are not yet fully developed.

They can also be quite rough with their toys and need toys that can stand up to being banged together or on the floor.

Toys that are suitable for children under three years of age, must comply with the relevant safety standard, but there are also some things you can check.

A good general rule is ‘the smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be’, but a more specific rule to follow is that anything smaller than a ping pong ball or 35-millimetre film cannister is too small.

Choose toys that are well-made

While it may be tempting to buy lots of little stocking stuffers or lean towards quantity over quality for maximum impact, you should always choose toys that are well made and hard wearing, and meet mandatory Australian safety standards. Toys that are hard-wearing are safer for little ones as they are unlikely to release small bits that become choking hazards.

Steer clear of products that are decorated with otherwise innocuous-looking items such as ribbons, buttons and beads.

Check the shape

Be wary of products that are a shape that could easily be swallowed and those with sharp edges or points.

Look for toys with safe surfaces

Small children place objects in their mouths, so make sure all materials and finishes are non-toxic.

In the past, some imported toys found at budget stores and markets have been found to be painted with lead paint, so it pays to be wary.

Avoid toys with small magnets

Small magnets can cause serious internal damage if swallowed, so avoid giving toys that contain them to small children.

Beware toys with long strings

Strings that are over 30 centimetres or can stretch to over 30 centimetres can tangle to form a noose or wrap about a child’s neck, making them a strangulation hazard. You should never give toys with these strings to small children.

Check battery compartments are secure

Always ensure battery-operated toys have child-resistant locking mechanisms to prevent your toddler from accessing and swallowing batteries.

Swallowed or inserted button batteries can cause serious soft tissue burns, resulting in devastating, and sometimes fatal, injuries.

For more information on toy safety, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

To lodge a complaint or raise any questions or concerns about unsafe toys, email us at safety@justice.qld.gov.au.

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Planning to dabble in candle-making in the lead up to the holiday season?

Handmade candles are becoming increasingly popular as both a hobby and at community markets.

If you’re planning to dabble in this popular pastime, there are some basic safety tips you should follow.

Check your wicks don’t contain lead

Candle wicks containing more than 0.06 per cent lead are banned from supply within  Australia. The ban was declared in 2002 when it was found that burning candles with higher lead contents in enclosed areas could release hazardous levels of lead into the air. Small children, pregnant women and unborn babies were particularly at risk.

If you’re looking to buy wicks or candle making kits from an overseas supplier, ensure you know what they’re made of. It may be worth spending a little bit more and buying local.

Ensure any candle holders aren’t flammable

It sounds like a no-brainer doesn’t it? But materials you may not consider flammable may be susceptible to prolonged heat from a burning candle. Even commercial suppliers are caught out now and then.

If you’re planning to sell the candles you make, you’ll be legally responsible for product safety and must comply with the federal government’s Consumer Protection Notice No. 12 – Permanent ban on combustible candle holders, as well as the ban relating to lead wicks.

For information on responsibly sourcing products, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

If you are concerned about any candles, candle holders or wicks you see for sale, you can send the details to our safety team at OFT.safety@justice.qld.gov.au.

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Countdown to the quad bike safety deadline (and the exceptions)

The clock is ticking on phase 2 of the Quad Bikes Safety Standard!

From 11 October 2021, all general use quad bikes for sale or hire must:

  • have an operator protection device (OPD) attached to help protect riders from being crushed or pinned in the event of a rollover by holding the quad bike off the ground
  • meet minimum stability requirements.

Operator protection devices

A general use quad bike must have one of the following devices fitted or integrated into its design:

  • an ATV Lifeguard
  • a Quadbar
  • a device that offers the same or better level of protection from being crushed or pinned in the event of a rollover.

At this stage, youth and sports quad bikes are not required to be fitted with an OPD due to the lack of testing of after-market OPDs designed for these categories.

Minimum stability requirements

The minimum stability requirements you must meet from 11 October are:

  • lateral roll stability — a minimum Tilt Table Ratio (TTR) of 0.55 (must not tip on to two wheels on a slope less than 28.81 degrees); and
  • front and rear longitudinal pitch stability — a minimum TTR of 0.8 (must not tip on to two wheels on a slope less than 38.65 degrees).

These requirements join those which were introduced in October 2020. For more information, including the TTR test procedures, visit the Product Safety Australia website, and watch the ACCC’s videos for businesses.

Exceptions

To help businesses manage supply chain issues caused by COVID-19, on 23 June 2021, the safety standard was amended so that quad bikes ordered by dealers before 1 July 2021 are exempt from the stage 2 requirements that commence from 11 October 2021. This exception does not apply if the order is subject to a condition that the quad bike will be supplied to the dealer after 31 December 2021.

The amendment is set out in the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Amendment Safety Standard 2021.

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Amendment to the mandatory standard for projectile toys

As many toy suppliers will be aware, in June 2020, the federal Minister made a new mandatory standard to allow for compliance with the updated 2019 edition of the voluntary Australian standard or one of three comparable foreign voluntary standards:

  • Australian standard - AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
  • International standard- ISO 8124-1:2018 Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
  • European standard-EN 71-1:2014 + Al:2018: Safety of toys - Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties
  • American standard-ASTM F963717 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.

In late 2020, amendments were made to the voluntary Australian and International standards, which caused unintended compliance complications for traders.

Following consultation with industry, the federal Minister has amended the mandatory safety standard for projectile toys, the Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020, to correct this issue so it again functions as intended, minimising the

burden on suppliers.

What were the amendments to the voluntary International and Australian standards?

The amendments to both the voluntary International standard and the voluntary Australian standard are identical. They concern a variety of children's toys, with some of them relating specifically to the design, construction and testing requirements for projectile toys. Changes relevant to projectile toys include an update to the tension test applied to projectile toys, and updates to the requirements for rotors and propellers on projectile toys to minimise the potential for injury.

The amended mandatory safety standard now references the recent updates made to the voluntary Australian and International standards, and maintains reference to the existing voluntary European and American standards, all listed below.

  • Australian standard-AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties (including amendments 1 and 2)
  • International standard -ISO 8124-1:2018 Safety of toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties (including amendments 1 and 2)
  • European standard-EN 71-1:2014 + A1:2018: Safety of toys - Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties
  • American standard-ASTM F963-17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.

The amended safety standard includes a 12-month transition period to provide sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements. During that time, suppliers can comply with either the requirements of the amended standard or Consumer Protection Notice No. 16 of 2010 (Consumer Product Safety Standard for Children's Projectile Toys).

From 12 June 2022, all suppliers must comply with the new standard, Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020.

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Amendment to the mandatory safety standard for self-balancing scooters

The Consumer Goods (Self-balancing Scooters) Safety Standard 2018 which sets out the mandatory requirements for the supply of self-balancing scooters was amended on 29 June 2021.

The purpose of the standard is to reduce the risk of death or serious injury caused by self-balancing scooters catching fire while, or after, being charged at an electrical mains outlet. The standard provides a minimum level of safety, with requirements for battery charging, discharging, temperature controls, and unbalanced charge in multiple lithium-ion cells, through compliance with Australian and international technical standards.

When the hazards of self-balancing scooters emerged, state and territory governments’ electrical safety legislative regimes had not uniformly identified extra-low voltage electrical products, including self-balancing scooters, as a safety risk.

To address a regulatory gap in state and territory electrical safety regulation, self-repeal provisions were included in the safety standard to provide sufficient time for state and territory regulators to update their regulatory frameworks to include these self-balancing scooters.

While the self-repeal date has been extended twice, regulatory gaps still remain for some states that have not made the necessary updates to their framework.

To ensure suitable ongoing safety oversight, the Consumer Goods (Self-balancing Scooters) Amendment Safety Standard 2021 was passed to remove the self-repeal provisions and ensure the ongoing safe supply of self-balancing scooters.

Importantly, this amendment will not impose any additional regulatory burden on industry.

For a copy of the Explanatory Statement for this amendment, visit the Federal Register of Legislation website.

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Not sure where to turn for help?

There are several agencies that work to keep consumers safe. Sometimes we may need to refer your enquiry or complaint to another agency.

If you cannot identify the appropriate regulator for your matter, call us on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for help.

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Recalls roundup

A product safety recall is the most common way for a supplier to remove unsafe goods from the supply chain. If you own one of the below items, follow the relevant link to find out what you need to do to make your item safe, or if you are entitled to a refund or replacement.

For more information on product recalls, visit the ACCC recalls website.

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Need help?

If you need help to identify product hazards, work with standards or develop a compliance plan, please contact the OFT's Consumer Product Safety Unit at OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au. Fines for non-compliance with standards can be substantial so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

For more information on regulated products subject to mandatory standards and bans or to check for information about consumer products and services, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

Want to report a product safety problem or seek advice?

Do you have some information you’d like to verify or are unsure about a product? The first step should be to visit the Product Safety Australia and OFT website. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can email the OFT Product Safety Unit at OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au. We will try to answer any queries you may have concerning Product Safety within Queensland with a safety first approach, because your safety matters.

Feedback

If you find this Safetyzone newsletter useful, please tell us what you think by emailing OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au.

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Last updated:
27 September 2021
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