PRODUCT SAFETY
AFA Product Safety News for Consumers, Retailers and Suppliers
The AFA places a strong emphasis on product safety. It actively supports Members’ safety programs and promotes action across the industry to improve furniture safety.
We remind consumers to look for the Australian Furniture Association logo when purchasing furniture. The AFA receives numerous consumer enquiries on a daily basis and it makes it easier for us to assist if we can trace back to an AFA Member for support and action, both to protect the consumer and also assist our Members to be responsible and compliant suppliers.
For more information contact the AFA via our Contact Us page.
Not a Member? Visit our Become a Member Page and Sign Up today!
ACCC
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 for consumers who acquire goods and services from Australian suppliers, importers or manufacturers. These are intended to ensure that you receive the goods or services that you have paid for. When you have a problem and one of the guarantees has not been met, you are entitled to a remedy.
The type of remedy depends on the circumstances but may include a repair, replacement, refund or having the service performed again.
Know your rights but remember that the law aims to give consumers and sellers a fair go—it is not designed to protect you if you are careless or make unreasonable demands.
The AFA is able to answer some of the questions most commonly asked by consumers, such as what rights you have when something you buy breaks or fails to perform as expected, and when you may be entitled to a refund or exchange.
The AFA can explain the law in simple language but is no substitute for the legislation or legal advice.
Need More Information?
Download the AFA’s Consumer Guarantees Booklet HERE OR write to us at compliance@
AFA SAFETY PARTNERS & ASSOCIATES
AB Phillips is the national risk, insurance and financial services business and partner to the AFA. AB Phillips help members to manage risks associated with product liability and recall.
Discounted HR Advice for Members
An engaged team – your best marketers!
Overcoming the “back to work blues”
The AFA is represented on the board of the Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute. Furntech-AFRDI conducts research and testing to advance furniture safety across the region.
How much more time have you spent sitting?
Standards and Testing the Australian way in global markets
Safe Seating for Public Spaces – A Must for Commercial Furniture Suppliers
How the workplace affects employee health and wellbeing
What’s the importance of your organisation’s Performance Culture?
FURNITURE TIP-OVER PREVENTION
Toppling furniture and televisions can seriously injure young children.
The AFA has developed a Toppling Furniture Prevention – Best Practice Guide and is now working with Members and other suppliers to promote and implement best practice.
Retailers are encouraged to stock AFA Member approved products.
Consumers are encouraged to look for the AFA Logo when buying furniture which may be a toppling risk.
Buy your copy of the Toppling Furniture Prevention – Best Practice Guide
Warning on Toppling Furniture following the Death of another Child
Let’s Talk About Shelving … In the Living Room
Not a Member? Become a Member HERE
PRODUCT RECALLS
Furniture manufacturers and consumers can keep track of furniture recalls on the Product Safety Australia website. Anyone can subscribe to receive notification of newly posted recalls, including specifically for furniture.
Media Releases & Previous Work
IKEA Recall of Children’s Furniture
ACCC updates Senate Estimates on National Infinity Cable Recall
Recent Recalls Include Cots – Bunks – Tolix Chairs
Recalls in 2016-17 include metal replica Tolix chairs recalled by multiple retailers. Find out if your item is on the recall list.
Anyone unsure if their product is amongst those listed by these suppliers should visit https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/tolix-replica-chair-recalls
The AFA has also expressed concern about a series of recalls for household cots in 2017.
Review of Mandatory BUNK BED Standards
SAFETY STANDARDS
The AFA is an active contributor at Standards Australia in the development of product safety standards, including furniture stability, office and education workstations, chairs, desks and mandatory standards for cots and bunk beds. Standards exists for domestic and commercial use furniture.
Compliance with safety and quality standards helps avoid product recalls. AFA Members are supported in their compliance with standards.
To learn more about Australian Standards visit Standards Australia or contact the AFA via our contact us page.
TOXIC CHEMICALS
There are concerns about azo dyes – which are linked to cancer – found in some imported leather upholstered furniture, such as lounges, dining chairs and bed headboards. And there has been an increase in the number of complaints from consumers about smell and or some physical reactions to furniture.
Reactions could include headaches, rashes or a whole range of things. It doesn’t mean it’s caused from azo dyes but it’s worth checking for the health of your family.
Most leading Australian retailers will not sell furniture containing azo dyes, but buying from an international online retailer could present a bigger risk, as they may not be aware of Australian standards.
Is your product from a reputable compliant supplier? Find an AFA Member here.
Media Releases & Previous Work
Media Release: Are You Sitting on a Cancer-Causing Couch?
Media Release: ACCC investigates possible AZO dye risk
For more information contact the AFA via our Contact Us page.
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
AMAZON & EBAY SUBJECT TO RECALLS OF FURNITURE PRODUCTS – ACTION REQUIRED
A further three furniture product safety recalls have been reported this week, with all three posing a potential choking/suffocation hazard to young children. Concerns are increasing over product that is not only unsafe, but that also does not contain the necessary...
IKEA recall of children’s furniture still on the minds of young families
In recent times the headlines have read ‘IKEA Re-announces recall of MALM and other models of chests and dressers due to serious tip-over hazard; 8th child fatality reported; consumers urged to choose between refund or repair. These headlines have been related to US...
CHOICE tests show Cots that have failed testing to Australian Standards and the year they were tested
Source * Brand Model Year tested Babies R Us Harper CR026OK 2017 Baby Stepz Classic 2017 Babyhood Georgia Sleigh Luxx 2017 Genesis Monterey 2017 Grotime Melody 30101 2017 Mocka Sonata 812583 2017 Strom Skajen 2017 All 4 Bubs Lunar 2016 Baby Stepz Sleigh Cot 2016...
ILLEGAL LOGGING REGULATION
PENALTIES OF UP TO $150k FOR NON COMPLIANCE
The Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Act is now in force. From 1 January 2018, importers of regulated timber products into Australia, will face penalties for failing to comply with the Act. The Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Act (AIPLA) seeks to reduce...
Do You Import Any Timber Products?
As of the 1st of January 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources will cease the “soft start” audit period. Penalties for non-compliance will apply after this date.The penalty for breaching the Act are as much as 5 years in jail and fines of 500...
Importing timber, wooden articles, bamboo and related products
All imported furniture that contains timber, wooden articles, bamboo and related products (whether for commercial or personal use) must comply with the import conditions as stated on the Department of Agriculture and Water resources' Biosecurity Import Conditions...