The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has introduced the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024, a significant measure aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities caused by unstable furniture. This mandatory standard came into effect on 4 May 2025, following a 12-month transition period for suppliers to comply.
Understanding the Risks
Since 2000, Australia has recorded 28 deaths, including 17 children under five, due to furniture tip-overs. Annually, over 900 injuries requiring medical attention are attributed to such incidents. Common causes include head injuries, crush injuries, and asphyxiation, with young children and the elderly being most at risk.
Key Requirements for Suppliers
From 4 May 2025, suppliers—including manufacturers, importers, and retailers—must adhere to the following requirements:
- Permanent Warning Labels: Affix durable labels to applicable furniture items, clearly indicating the risk of tip-overs and the importance of anchoring.
- Point-of-Sale Warnings: Display warnings in-store (e.g., swing tags or placards) and online (within product descriptions), ensuring visibility to consumers during the purchasing process.
- Instruction Manual Notices: Include safety information and anchoring advice in all assembly instructions or manuals provided with the furniture.
The standard applies to the following categories of furniture:
- Category 1: Clothing storage units and bookcases with a height of 686 mm or more.
- Category 2: Entertainment units of any height.
- Category 3: Hall tables, display cabinets, buffets, and sideboards with a height of 686 mm or more.
Each warning must include:
- An alert word such as “WARNING” or “DANGER” in uppercase letters.
- A statement indicating that children have died from furniture tip-overs.
- An internationally recognized safety alert symbol.
- A pictogram showing a child climbing on furniture with a cross or strikethrough.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the new standard constitutes a breach of the Australian Consumer Law. Penalties include:
- For Businesses: The greater of $50 million, three times the value of the benefit obtained from the non-compliance, or 30% of adjusted turnover during the breach period.
- For Individuals: Up to $2.5 million.
Industry Support and Resources
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) supports the ACCC’s initiative, recognizing its importance in enhancing consumer safety. The AFA encourages all members to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and to implement necessary changes within the transition period.
To assist suppliers in meeting these requirements, the AFA offers approved permanent labels and swing tags that comply with the ACCC’s stringent warning label standards. These resources include:
- Group Buying Rates for both permanent labels and swing tags that meet the standard for label, adhesive, and paper stock type.
- Standard Artwork with approved warnings and safety information for Categories 1, 2, and 3, eliminating guesswork.
- No Design or Graphics Costs, streamlining the compliance process.
- Free Tracked Express Post delivery within Australia.
- Custom Branding Options to add your own branding to the front of approved labels or custom artwork to the reverse of swing tags, enhancing marketing efforts.
- Individually Numbered Labels for easy traceability of products and to protect your brand from counterfeits.
Additional benefits are available for AFA members, including co-branding opportunities with the Australian Furniture Association and the Australian Furnishing Industry Stewardship Council, substantial discounted pricing for AFA member-branded printing, and expert advice and support for selecting the most appropriate resources to adhere to your product range.(AFA)
For more information or to place an order, visit the AFA’s official product page: Mandatory Toppling Furniture Labels and Swing Tags.
By proactively adopting these measures, the furniture industry can play a pivotal role in preventing accidents and safeguarding consumers, particularly vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly.
Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, “Mandatory information standard for toppling furniture to reduce accidents and deaths,” 3 May 2025. https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/mandatory-information-standard-for-toppling-furniture-to-reduce-accidents-and-deaths