All products must be safe for their intended purpose. Some high-risk products cannot be sold unless they meet certain standards.
It is illegal to sell any product that doesn't meet a safety standard.
Safety standards are about:
- how the product is made or processed
- what it contains
- how it works
- what warnings or instructions must come with it.
The standards make sure products:
- are safe for their intended use
- help prevent injuries from unsafe goods.
Information safety standards
Consumers need clear and visible information to make an informed choice about what they buy. This information is usually via a label or warning.
Information standards regulate the type and amount of information provided to consumers about goods and services.
An information standard for goods and services can:
- require particular information to be provided, or not
- set the form or manner of this information
- give a meaning to certain information.
Business responsibilities
Suppliers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, hirers and retailers selling goods and services within Australia must:
- ensure goods and services they supply comply with relevant safety and information standards
- be familiar with the standards relevant to those goods and services.
For a full list of existing safety and information standards visit Product Safety Australia