The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued an updated safety standard for projectile toys designed to protect children from serious eye injuries or choking.
Deputy Chair of the ACCC Delia Rickard said suppliers were currently able to choose to comply with either the latest Australian voluntary standard or listed overseas standards. The new standard is mandatory.
“The updated consumer standard improves on existing consumer protections and is a timely reminder that parents and carers should only purchase safe, approved products that meet the requirements of the mandatory standard,” Ms Rickard said.
“Under the Australian Consumer Law all suppliers must comply with the mandatory standard to protect children from injury or risk fines and penalties,” she said.
Ms Rickard said the key requirements of the new standard were minimum size measurements of a projectile to avoid choking; clear warnings so that projectiles were not aimed at the eyes or face; and the toy’s discharge mechanism designed so that it couldn’t launch an improvised projectile in a hazardous manner.
She said the new standard allowed a transitional period of 12 months which began on 11 June.
“During the transitional period, suppliers must meet the requirements of either Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020, or Consumer Protection Notice No. 16 of 2010 (Consumer Product Safety Standard for Children’s Projectile Toys) ,” she said.
Ms Rickard said that after the transitional period, suppliers must meet the requirements of the Consumer Goods (Projectile Toys) Safety Standard 2020.
