Consumer Complaints Continue To Rise

When you buy goods or services and they break too easily, don’t work or don’t perform as generally expected, you have rights under the law. The Australian Consumer Law (contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) creates a basic set of guarantees...

Mandatory Standards For Cots and Bunk Beds

The ACCC’s mandatory standards for cots and bunk beds are currently undergoing review. Some persons will already have received updates on the ACCC Product Safety website and may have been alerted to the process now in train for the review of both of these...

Review of Australian Mandatory Standard for Household Cots

The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) together with industry partners, regulatory bodies, and State and Federal Government share your concerns and that of the ACCC and consumers related to the emerging safety hazards and increased risk of injury and death of...

Four baby cots recalled in one month

The Australasian Furnishing Association is alarmed to learn that four separate baby cots have been recalled the ACCC in just one month. Even more alarming is the fact that all three were sold online. ‘With the impending launch of Amazon into Australia, we’re concerned...

Tipping Furniture Warning

The AFA has been liaising with Government to look into tipping furniture as it poses an ongoing threat to Australians. The AFA is pleased Australia’s consumer watchdog has launched a safety investigation into a popular series of drawers by Swedish furniture...

ACCC Legislation

The purpose of this letter is to remind AFA Members of the Federal Court of Australia decision following action taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) against Woolworths Limited (Woolworths) relating to the supply of unsafe products to...

Couriers and Product Safety – a seller’s obligations

Damage caused in transit can render a product unsafe, create new hazards or increase existing ones. Suppliers must ensure their packaging is fit for purpose, and designed to minimise all risks of damage to maintain the integrity of the product. With the increase of...

Four cots recalled in one month!

The Australasian Furnishing Association is alarmed to learn that four separate baby cots have been recalled by the ACCC in just one month. Even more alarming is the fact that all three were sold online. ‘With the impending launch of Amazon into Australia, we’re...

IMPORTERS BEWARE – YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOODS YOU IMPORT

Are you aware that your business is responsible for any furnishing product that you import, manufacture, sell, supply or distribute? This means that you can be held liable for any defect or other condition that renders the product unsafe and results in injury, death...

Let’s Talk About Shelving … In the Living Room

Houzz recently posted this great article on shelving. Please be aware when you are constructing shelving to ensure it is secure and won’t tip over. Please read the ACCC’s tipping standards legislation before installing shelving –  click here There is...

ISO guidance on product safety

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) publishes standards on a wide range of topics, including consumer product safety. Members may be aware, for example, of the ISO standard for high chairs – ISO 9221. But ISO also publishes a range of standards and guides...

Review of Mandatory BUNK BED Standards

Manufacturers, Importers, Agents and Retailers were in attendance at the recent AFA Seminar on the Review of the Mandatory Standards for Bunk Beds and how they will be affected by these changes. The Australian Furniture Association hosted this exclusive AFA Member...