Media Releases
Warning on Toppling Furniture following the Death of another Child
NSW Fair Trading and other consumer affairs agencies across the country have launched a campaign to ensure parents and carers know how to protect their children and prevent a serious accident from toppling furniture and TVs. NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Rod Stowe,...
Warning – Toppling furniture kills another child
The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) is continuing to push for stronger legislation since the announcement of IKEA’s alert re toppling furniture and subsequent child deaths. This issue is not exclusive to the IKEA incident, and the AFA is aware of a number of...
Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012: Furniture and Furnishing Specific Tailored Due Diligence Tools for the Furniture and Furnishing Industry
WHY? In recent months the AFA has held a number of meetings with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) following the first twelve months of auditing of the due diligence requirements. Alarmingly the AFA learnt that 76% of furnishing related...
PRODUCT RECALLS ON THE RISE
Product recalls are on the rise as ever increasing consumer protection and new regulations come into play. It does not take much of a defect to fail to meet various legislation and Australian Standards. When a recall is declared by a government agency or a retailer,...
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 a lot that can be...
Compliance – Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2014 (ILPR)
For full PDF version of Australian Furniture & Furnishing Volume #3 click HERE
AFA Announces Inaugural Head of Education Network Group
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Simona Jobbagy as Chair of the Australian Furniture Community of Practice Network (AFCoPN). Simona is a dedicated professional who has worked in Vocational Education and Training...
Bunk Beds Under Scrutiny Just Before Christmas Orders Close
In recent weeks Harvey Norman has led the way in announcing updated testing requirements in relation to the supply and sale of Bunk Beds in all of its Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne Stores. The retail giant has determined that compliance with the CPN needs to...
KMPG Review into Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation
On 1 December 2014, the Australian Government announced an independent review into the impact of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 on small business (
Illegal Logging Legislation’s Impact on Small Business
The AFA is advised that the new due diligence requirements in relation to the illegal logging legislation will affect up to 17,000 importers and 460 domestic timber processors, with all of them having to carry out due diligence. A large portion of these are likely to...
Illegal Logging of Timber
On the 30th November 2014 the Australian Government introduced new regulations which require Australian timber importers to carry out due diligence on imported timber products. The Illegal logging of timber is a significant trade issue, with the estimated global trade...
Australian Funding to Combat Illegal Logging in Asia-Pacific
Coinciding with the AFA's recent communications in relation to illegal logging, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Julie Bishop MP, has announced that the Australian Government is increasing its commitment to the sustainable management and recovery...
Media Release: Are You Sitting on a Cancer-Causing Couch?
As previously researched and reported by the Australian Furniture Association, the concerns about hazardous AZO dyes in clothing and bed linen have recently been extended to include textiles and leather used in the manufacture of furniture into Australia. In...
Timber Development Association Training Seminars on Illegal Logging Regulation
If you import timber, pulp or paper products (e.g. raw materials, frames or furniture products) this information may be relevant to you. From 30th November 2014 importers of most timber, pulp, paper and wood furniture products into Australia will have to comply with...
Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation – Important information for Importers
The Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation commences on 30th November 2014 so here is some important information for Importers: Training Seminars for Importers Dates and venues are now confirmed for the next series of Illegal Logging Regulation & Timber...
New illegal logging laws to apply to timber importers from 30 November 2014
The Australian Government's Department of Agriculture has issued a Notice to Industry regarding new illegal logging laws. Who does this notice affect? The illegal logging laws affect businesses who import certain regulated timber and timber products into Australia....
Illegal Logging Prohibition Update
The Department of Agriculture has translated relevant fact-sheets and guidance documents on the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation. The translations have been made in seven (7) languages and will be handy for Australian importers needing to explain the...
New Updates: Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation
Department of Agriculture Outreach Department of Agriculture is planning a variety of outreach activities over the next 5 months on the illegal logging regulation leading up to 30th November 2014 commencement of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulations. These...
Media Release: ACCC investigates possible AZO dye risks associated with exposure to IMPORTED furniture
Recent concerns about hazardous AZO dyes in clothing and bed linen have now been extended to include textiles and leather in imported furniture. The ACCC has also been alerted to potential exposure to chemicals such as formaldehyde from bonded leather in imported...
Media Release – Wattyl set to make a splash at AIFE
The Australian International Furniture Exhibition (AIFE) welcomes Wattyl Industrial Coatings to the July showcase at the Royal Exhibition Building. Wattyl Industrial Coatings join a host of other big Australian brands that will feature at the Festival of Furniture...
Media Release: Warwick Fabrics leads fashion at AIFE festival
The Australian International Furniture Exhibition welcomes Warwick Fabrics to the July AIFE showcase at the Royal Exhibition Building. ‘We’re thrilled to have Warwick partner with us in our showcase,’ says Brooke Winter of Flamingo Furniture. ‘Another example of the...