Microplastics,Consumer products,microplastics in humans,precautionary principle

A new initiative in children’s safety

Why would you need a guide to making clothing safe? Sometimes it’s hard to envisage what can cause children’s injuries. It’s not until you experience it with your own children or hear of an incident that you realise there might…
Microplastics,Consumer products,microplastics in humans,precautionary principle

Changes to the Children’s nightwear standard – Advice for suppliers

Everyone agrees the children’s nightwear standard was in need of an overhaul. A new version of Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1249 Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced flammability the standard was published…
Microplastics,Consumer products,microplastics in humans,precautionary principle

The Dangers of Lever Shower Taps . . .

 . . . and how to overcome them - Choosing a mixer tap for a shower stall Ever been enjoying a nice hot shower and the water suddenly goes super-hot, or icy cold, or stops flowing completely? Your first thought is whether your annoying…
Opportunity to influence consumer product safety
,

How consumers can have a say in product safety policy

     He had tattoos on his neck and arms. The words LOVE and HATE were tattooed on his fingers, next to skull rings. His clothes were leather, adorned with silver studs. Heavy boots completed the outfit. I was mindful that this man was…
Influence consumer product safety

How Businesses Can Influence Consumer Product Safety Policy

  WHO sets consumer product standards? How do ‘THEY’ set the standards? How do ‘THEY’ know that the standards can be applied in the real world?   As a small importer or manufacturer, you don’t always get a say in the…
10 weeks wasted

How poor product design lets you – and your customers – down

  I recently bought a mobile phone. When I needed to access the SIM card, I couldn’t work out how to remove the back cover. Frustrating. The cover didn’t have any of the usual product design features to indicate how to open…
Infinity cable - possible electrocution

Infinity Cable – Future Shock!

Imagine you’ve built a new home or done renovations for your family over the past two years. You endured all the disruption, the drama, the mess and the financial stress. Now you’re enjoying your new space in the knowledge that’s all…
Infinity cable hazard

Infinity cable – A Shock to the System

A new and dramatic saga is about to unfold in Australian product safety history. In August 2013 the Infinity Cable Company recalled electrical cable which had been widely sold across Australia. But this recall was only the start of the…
Global product safety
,

Notes from International Product Safety Week 2014

Last week was international product safety week. More than 40 countries from around the world were represented at a range of meetings in Brussels, Belgium. Most people came from around Europe, but others had travelled from Canada, USA, New…
Microplastics,Consumer products,microplastics in humans,precautionary principle
, ,

Toy age guidelines – lessons from Lego and The Simpsons

Age guidelines on toys - lots of people assume the age listed on a toy is only to indicate how bright a child is