Following a recommendation by the ACCC, furniture suppliers now have to provide safety warnings to consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture hazards.
The new law was introduced earlier this month and requires suppliers to provide safety warnings and advice about how to reduce toppling furniture incidents to consumers before, during and after purchasing furniture.
“A mandatory information standard is a critical step towards reducing the injuries and deaths involving toppling furniture,” says ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh.
“We know that young children and the elderly are most at risk of toppling furniture injuries and the most common cause of death is head and crush injuries and asphyxiation.”
Indeed, since 2000, 28 people including 17 children under five have died in Australia from toppling furniture and each year more than 900 Australians suffer injuries requiring medical assistance from toppling furniture.
The standard will apply to chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, hall tables, display cabinets, buffets and sideboards with a height of 686mm or more and entertainment units of any height.
Suppliers will have a 12-month transition period to implement the new information and labelling requirements.
“The new information standard will help increase awareness about toppling furniture risks including by warning consumers to securely anchor furniture to prevent furniture tip overs.”
