Mandatory safety standards only apply to a small number of products in Australia
Current mandatory standards are frighteningly outdated and newer voluntary standards are not being met
CHOICE is calling on the government to strengthen product safety laws
When you walk into a shop, do you assume the products on display are safe? According to CHOICE's 2018 Consumer Pulse survey, 79% of Australians surveyed believe businesses are currently legally required to ensure the products they sell are safe. Unfortunately, Australians simply aren't afforded these protections, despite the fact almost all of those surveyed (97%) think it's important we are.
This means businesses are selling potentially dangerous products and are not required to take any action until after their products cause serious injuries. When this happens, as it recently did with dangerous Aldi pressure cookers and exploding Thermomixes, a business might not launch a voluntary recall until after becoming aware of a safety risk, and individuals can be left to fight for remedies themselves.
There is currently no explicit market-wide requirement in the Australian Consumer Law for manufacturers or retailers to proactively ensure that the products they sell are safe.
In theory this should mean consumers can buy these products without worrying about safety, but CHOICE tests of baby products reveal a different reality.
Baby products with no mandatory standard
Did you know these baby products are not legally required to meet any mandatory safety standards?
Bassinets
Cot mattresses
High chairs
Change tables
Baby bottles and teats
Safety gates/barriers
Backyard play equipment
Baby carriers and slings
Play pens
Products that do have mandatory safety standards still fail our tests
Some high-risk products must meet mandatory safety standards in order to be sold in Australia. These include aquatic toys, bicycles and some baby products like strollers, cots and portable cots.
But despite having certification to say they pass legal requirements, a large number of the products we test in our accredited labs consistently fail to meet the mandatory standard, the voluntary standard, or both:
Portable cots (59 tested from 2016-2023): 90% or 53 products failed.
Strollers (152 tested from 2013–2022): 47% or 71 products failed.
Double strollers (54 tested from 2012-2022): 61% or 33 products failed.
Cots (195 tested from 2012–2021): 56% or 108 products failed.
What kind of failures?
Some of these tested products carry risks of strangulation, suffocation or finger, limb, neck and head entrapment, while others may allow a baby to fall out onto the ground or pierce their skin on sharp protruding edges.
We categorise the failures as:
very minor (for example, warning labels not present)
minor (for example, sharp edges, finger entrapment hazards)
serious (for example, suffocation or strangulation hazards).
CHOICE applies its own scoring system depending on the severity of the failure, so we may still recommend some products with very minor failures if they don't pose a serious risk. However, the sheer volume of these failures and the fact that most of these products are still being sold, shows that even for the most strictly regulated products, enforcement of safety standards isn't always strong enough to keep Australians safe.
The products that failed our safety tests
It's important to note the year the model was tested in, as results from one year are not applicable to models with the same name that were manufactured earlier or later.
Some models that failed in the past now pass all safety requirements.
Products with a mandatory safety standard
Brand
Model
Year tested
All 4 Bubs
Lunar
2016
All 4 Kids
3 In 1
2015
Arm's Reach Concepts
Aurora Contempo
2015
Australian Nursery
Venice
2015
Babies R Us
Harper CR026OK
2017
Babies R Us by Delta
Wave 3 in 1
2015
Baby 1st
Homesread
2015
Baby Stepz
Classic
2017
Baby Stepz
Sleigh Cot
2016
Babyco
Florida
2015
Babyhood
Amani
2012
Babyhood
Classic Sleigh 4 in 1
2015
Babyhood
Ergonomic
2014
Babyhood
Georgia Sleigh Luxx
2017
Babyhood
Lulu
2020
Babyhood
Milano
2012
Babyhood
Riya
2018
Babyhood
Sandton Sleigh
2014
Babyhood
Zimbali
2013
Bebe Care
Nordica
2015
Bebe Care
Oxford
2013
Bertini
Miko cot
2013
Bloom
Alma Papa Crib
2013
Boori
Classic
2012
Boori
Daintree
2019
Boori
Pioneer
2012
Boori Country
Newport
2013
Boori Country
Paddington cot 3 in 1
2013
Boori Urbane
Sunshine
2014
Boori Urbane
Sleigh cot 3 in 1
2013
Boori Urbane
Omni Transformer
2014
Boori Urbane
Sleigh 3 in 1
2014
Boori Urbane
Alice
2013
Boori Waratah
Manor 3 in 1
2014
Bootiq
Madison
2012
Cheekybub
Scallywag
2012
Childcare
Luna
2015
Childcare
Sandford DL
2013
Childcare
Harper
2013
Childcare
Lullabye XT
2012
Chukles
Cocoon Nest
2016
Chukles
Cocoon Ritz
2015
Cocoon
Aston
2020
DaVinci
Jenny Lind Stationary Cot
2015
Disney Baby
Disney Classic
2015
Ezy Machinery
3 in 1 Sleigh Cot
2015
Fantastic Furniture
Twinkle
2015
Genesis
Monterey
2017
Genesis
Arizona Pine 141002-3
2016
Grotime
Overture 30102
2016
Grotime
Melody 30101
2017
Grotime
Hannah
2015
Grotime
Backsaver 2
2015
Grotime C50
Hadley
2013
Ikea
Stuva 301.993.82
2016
Ikea
Gonatt
2014
Ikea
Gulliver
2019
Ikea
Sniglar
2019
Ikea
Sundvik
2019
Ikea
Hensvik
2012
Incy
Jemima
2013
Incy Interiors
Maxwell
2021
Incy Interiors
Reese 1523
2016
Incy Interiors
Kip
2015
Incy Interiors
Teeny 1938
2018
Kaylula
Sova 4 in 1
2014
Kmart
Anko Rattan Wooden
2022
Kukuu
Bird and Berry
2014
Leander
Walnut
2012
Love n Care
AU-Lucca CH 200WA
2020
Love n Care
AU-Polar CH A300W
2020
Love n Care
Classic HK 200
2018
Love n Care
Linda
2012
Love n Care
Miami
2014
Love n Care
Regal
2012
Love N Care
Sleigh II
2015
Mamas & Papas
Ocean
2013
Mamas & Papas
Orchard Sleigh
2012
Mocka
Sonata 812583
2017
Mocka
Amalfi
2015
Mocka
Aspiring
2015
Mon Cheri
Madeleine
2015
Mothercare
Takeley
2012
Mothercare
Summer Oak
2012
Mothers Choice
Orlando
2012
Mothers Choice
Melrose
2012
Pottery Barn Kids
Aus Reese
2016
Pottery Barn Kids
Aus Emerson
2015
Pottery Barn Kids
Aus Blythe
2015
Pottery Barn Kids
Aus Fillmore
2021
Quirky Bubba
Contemporary Cot
2015
Regent
Ascot
2012
Stokke
Sleepi Bed
2019
Strom
Skajen
2017
Sunbury
The Manhattan SFHCR-AA
2016
Tasman Eco
Vogue
2015
Tasman Eco
Aria
2014
Tasman Eco
Sleigh
2013
Tasman Eco
Modena
2012
Tasman Elegance
Verona
2012
Tasman Essentials
Rascali E-101M
2016
Tasman Essentials
Ascari
2015
Tikk Tokk
Elm
2015
Touchwood
Metro Bar
2016
Troll
Nicole
2015
Troll
Sun Cot Bed
2013
* Models with an asterisk after them pass CHOICE's key safety tests and may be recommended or worth considering, but still fail very minor and/or minor parts of either a mandatory or voluntary standard.
Brand
Model
Year tested
4Baby
Jett
2016
Abon
Genius Compact Stroller
2020
Aussie Baby
Baby Buggy SC114
2012
Baby Jogger
City Mini Single
2013
Baby Jogger
City Mini GT Single
2014
Baby Jogger
City Mini 4 Wheel Single
2015
Baby Jogger
City Mini GT
2017
Baby Jogger
City Mini GT2
2020
Baby Jogger
City Select Lux
2018
Baby Jogger
City Select 2
2021
Baby Jogger
City Tour
2018
Baby Jogger
City Elite
2016
Baby Jogger
City Elite
2019
Baby Solutions
Layback Umbrella, QX-108
2012
Baby Solutions
Cubby
2015
Babybee
Comet
2016
Babybee
Rover*
2019
Babyhood
Doppio 2018 model single
2020
Babywise
3 Wheel Stroller
2013
Babyzen
Zen
2013
Babyzen
Yoyo
2015
Babyzen
Yoyo2
2022
Bambini
Milan Travel System (2020)
2022
Bebe Care
Edge 4 Lite
2014
Britax
e-brake
2015
Britax
Agile SP
2016
Bumprider
Connect 51284-77*
2019
Bugaboo
Butterfly*
2023
Bugaboo
Fox 3*
2023
Bugaboo
Ant
2020
Bugaboo
Cameleon3*
2013
Bugaboo
Buffalo*
2014
Bugaboo
Bee3*
2015
Bugaboo
Bee5*
2017
Chariot
Cougar
2013
Chicco
Echo, 10840
2012
Chicco
Liteway Plus
2014
Chicco
Liteway 2
2018
Chicco
Miinimo
2019
Chicco
Urban
2015
Childcare
Discovery XLR
2013
Childcare
Alto XLR
2013
Childcare
Rapide
2014
Childcare
Rialto
2015
Childcare
Flip
2017
Childcare
Knox 015259-04
2019
Childcare
LiTE
2020
Combi
Spazio
2013
Combi
Miracle Turn, MT-450A
2012
Concord
Neo
2016
Croozer
Kid for 1
2013
Cybex
Platinum Priam Frame & Trekking Wheels and Priam Lux Seat
2016
Dymples
Envy
2014
Edwards & Co
Otto
2019
Edwards & Co
Oscar M2
2023
GB
Pockit AUS
2016
Greentom
Upp Classic
2016
Hauck l'Coo
Pluto 11
2014
iCandy
Peach
2013
iCandy
Peach 7
2023
ICandy
Strawberry 2
2016
Infa Secure
Arlo
2015
Jane
Epic
2015
Joie
Litetrax 4
2019
Joie
Mirus
2015
Jolly Jumper
Elite 4-Wheeler Stroller
2013
Joolz
Day
2013
Joolz
Day
2014
Joolz
Geo²
2018
Joolz
Geo Earth
2015
Joovy
Qool
2020
Love N Care
Mirage, BP2756
2012
Love N Care
Alpha, BP9753P
2012
Love N Care
Push-N-Go
2014
Love N Care
Tango
2014
MacLaren
Techno XLR
2013
MacLaren
Triumph, WDN03042
2012
MacLaren
BMW Buggy
2014
Mamas & Papas
Urbo
2013
Mamas & Papas
Armadillo
2015
Mamas and Papas
Armadillo Flip XT
2016
Maxi-Cosi
Elea
2013
Milano
Tech Rider TS
2015
Milly + Coup
Milo
2021
Mother's Choice
Carter
2013
Mother's Choice
Magnum, 012206
2012
Mother's Choice
Maybel, 012304
2012
Mother's Choice
Kismet
2016
Mountain Buggy
Terrain
2013
Mountain Buggy
Cosmopolitan
2013
Mountain Buggy
Urban Jungle, U102
2012
Mountain Buggy
Mini
2014
Mountain Buggy
Nano 1.0
2015
Mountain Buggy
Cosmopolitan 2.0
2017
Mountain Buggy
Duet 3.0 (seat + joey)
2017
Mountain Buggy
MB Mini 3.1
2018
Mountain Buggy
Nano 2.0*
2018
Mountain Buggy
Swift 3.0
2016
Nuna
Mixx² ST-48-001CA
2018
Nuna
Pepp
2014
Out N About
Nipper 360 Single
2015
Oyster
Max 2
2017
Peg Perego
Carrello Book Plus with Seggiolino Switch Sportivo
2013
Peg Perego
Pliko Switch Compact
2012
Phil & Teds
Verve 2.0
2013
Phil & Teds
Voyager V6 Buggy
2021
Phil & Teds
Dash V6*
2020
Phil & Teds
Dot V6
2020
Phil & Teds
Go V2
2020
Phil & Teds
Sub4
2013
Phil & Teds
Smart
2013
Phil & Teds
Promenade 1.0, PR-5/100
2012
Phil & Teds
Dot
2014
Phil & Teds
Vibe
2015
Phil & Teds
Voyager 1.0
2018
Phil & Teds
Mod
2017
Phil & Teds
Dash 5.0
2016
Phil and Teds
Voyager 1.0
2016
Phil and Teds
Sport 5.0
2016
Pouch
2 in 1
2019
Quinny
Zapp Xtra, 012256
2012
Redsbaby
Jive
2016
Rozibaby
3/4 Wheel
2014
Safety 1st
Wanderer X
2016
Silver Cross
Jet SX2133.EBAU
2019
Silver Cross
Pop Air, SX297
2012
Silver Cross
Wayfarer
2014
Silver Cross
Surf
2014
Silver Cross
Wave
2020
Steelcraft
Strider Compact
2013
Steelcraft
Acclaim
2013
Steelcraft
Strider Plus
2014
Steelcraft
Terrain
2015
Steelcraft
Strider Compact Deluxe 36966
2019
Steelcraft
Strider Plus*
2013
Steelcraft
Acclaim, 36768
2012
Stokke
Scoot
2013
Stokke
Xplory
2016
Stokke
Xplory V6
2019
Target
Saturn
2015
Thule
Urban Glide 1
2017
Uppababy
Alta, 0131
2012
Uppababy
Alta, 0131
2015
Uppababy
Minu 0818-MIN-AU*
2019
Uppababy
Vista 0318-VIS-AU*
2018
Valco
Rebel Q Sport
2013
Valco Baby
Matrix
2013
Valco Baby
SNAP 4, N8958
2012
Valco Baby
Zee
2014
Valco Baby
Quad X*
2015
Valco Baby
Snap Ultra
2016
Vee Bee
Lio
2018
Zuzu
Genesis 3 Wheel Stroller
2013
Zuzu
Genesis
2013
Zuzu
Zippi
2014
* Models with an asterisk after them pass CHOICE's key safety tests and may be recommended or worth considering, but still fail very minor and/or minor parts of either a mandatory or voluntary standard.
Brand
Model
Year tested
Aeromoov
Travel Cot
2021
4Baby
Liteway Travel Cot
2018
4Baby
Liteway Travel Cot
2021
4Baby
Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot EA12117
2022
4Baby
Vacation Portacot EA12116
2022
Baby Bjorn
Travel Cot Easy Go*
2020
Baby Björn
Travel Cot Light
2016
Baby Love
Mascot BL3009
2016
Babyco
Edinburgh Statesman 4006375-377
2016
Babyhood
Bambino Dormire 2 in 1 Porta Cot
2018
Babyhood
Bambino Dormire 2 in 1 Porta Cot*
2021
Babyhood
Uno 2 in 1 Portacot
2021
Bugaboo
Stardust*
2022
Chicco
Lullaby Easy Portacot
2020
Childcare
Ariel 4 in 1 074300-411
2023
Childcare
Ison Porta-Cot
2021
Childcare
Matisse 4 in 1 Travel Cot
2020
Childcare
Trio 3 in 1 Travel Cot
2018
Dymples
Portacot
2018
Elite Baby
All in 1 Deluxe
2016
Ingenuity
Smart and Simple Travel Cot
2018
Jengo
Travelite Wooden 2 in 1 Cot*
2022
Joie
Commuter Change Travel Cot
2020
Joie
Commuter Change V2 Travel Cot*
2022
Joie
Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot
2018
Joie
Illusion
2016
Kmart
Anko 3-In-1 Portacot 43-139-804
2023
Kmart
Anko 3-In-1 Portacot 42723370
2022
Kmart
Anko Travel Portacot
2018
Kmart
Anko Travel Portacot
2021
Love N Care
3 in 1 Sleep n Go HK993G
2023
Love N Care
Playland Travel Cot HK 999
2018
Mamakiddies
Baby Playard Happy Dino
2021
Micralite
Sleep and Go Travel Cot*
2021
Mocka
Portacot
2021
Mother's Choice
Happy Pears 015615
2016
Phil & Teds
Traveller T3
2016
Phil & Teds
Traveller 2021 TR-V5-5/100
2022
Phil & Teds
Traveller 4
2018
Roger Armstrong
Travel Cot Sleep Easy RA5612 (2017)
2022
Roger Armstrong
8 in 1 Portacot RA2232
2023
Star Kidz
Vivo Super Light Travel Cot
2022
Star Kidz
Amico Super Light Travel Cot
2021
Steelcraft
4 in 1 34442-Y*
2016
Steelcraft
Sonnet 32439
2016
Steelcraft
Snooze-n-Play Portable Cot*
2018
Target
Cleo Vogue Portacot 6702 7552
2023
Target
Holiday Portacot
2018
Target
Adventure V2 3-in-1 Portacot BRT022A1
2022
Target
Adventure 3-in-1 Portacot (2019)*
2021
Valco
Zephyr Portacot
2014
Vee Bee
Amado Travel & Play Cot
2018
Vee Bee
The Sierra N9338
2016
Products with no mandatory safety standard
Brand
Model
Year tested
4Baby
Pick N Mix high chair
2016
Baby Solutions
Bounty Flat Fold high chair
2017
Cam
Campione high chair
2016
Childcare
Atlanta XT high chair
2013
Combi
Roanju high chair
2013
InfaSecure
Dino 4-in-1 high chair
2017
InfaSecure
Sienna high chair
2015
InfaSecure
Melody Deluxe high chair
2016
InfaSecure
Sailor high chair
2016
InfaSecure
588 Feed 'n' Read high chair
2013
Joie
Mimzy 360 high chair
2014
Keter
Multi Dine high chair (2015 version)
2015
Leander
Chair
2014
Love n Care
Futura high chair
2014
Love n Care
Techno high chair
2015
Mocka
Original high chair
2014
Mother's Choice
Woodlands high chair
2018
Oxo Tot
Sprout chair
2017
Brand
Model
Year tested
4Baby
Auto-Close Safety Gate F2049
2020
Crazysales
Pet Safety Gate K393
2015
Dreambaby
Swing Closed Security Gate F160W
2015
Dreambaby
Chelsea Auto-Close Security Gate F160N
2020
Dreambaby
Chelsea Xtra-Wide Hallway Auto-Close Security Gate
2020
Infasecure
Deluxe Safety Gate DG100
2020
Infasecure
Protecta Door Barrier 320
2020
Lindam
Numi - aluminium 44435
2011
Perma Child Safety
Retractable Gate 754
2020
Regalo
Easy Step Metal Walk-Through Safety Gate 1160DS
2020
Summer
Stylish and secure Step to Open Gate 27190
2014
The First Years
Hide-away Gate
2014
The First Years
Everywhere Safety Gate Y4996
2012
Valco
Guardian Swing Back Gate N81321
2011
Portable cots: an accident waiting to happen
The current mandatory standard for portable cots ensures that a cot is stable and doesn't have unsafe gaps that could trap a child's head or limbs. But it's missing one of the most important provisions for infant safety: breathability.
The newer voluntary standard requires that all the areas that could come into contact with the baby's airways be made of breathable material to reduce the risk of infant suffocation, but our latest portable cot test found that 11 out of 12 models carry a suffocation hazard of some sort, and three models have insufficient breathable zones. This is why we always test to the newest voluntary standard and why we believe our product safety laws need strengthening.
Mandatory standards out of date
Current mandatory standards for strollers and portable cots are based on documents written almost two decades ago, but since then we've learned a lot about what makes a product safe. While newer standards were written for strollers and portable cots in 2013 and 2010 respectively, they haven't become law. Instead, they're used as voluntary standards which manufacturers are encouraged to adhere but are not obliged to do so.
We've noticed our governments tend to wait until one of these products causes serious injury or death before making the new standard mandatory, even when the newer standard may contain crucial safety provisions. This reactive approach is also inherent in general product safety laws, which allow businesses to react to product safety problems after they happen, rather than actively trying to prevent them from occurring.
Ultimately the result for both regulated and non-regulated products is that consumers have to wait until after tragedy strikes for government to take action and for businesses to take responsibility.
What we're doing about product safety laws
The Australian government will be consulting on options to strengthen product safety laws this year. We're calling for the introduction of a legal obligation on businesses to ensure their products are safe before being offered for sale. This would bring us in line with similar legal requirements in the EU, Canada and the UK.
We want the government to:
make the newest standards mandatory
police violations more vigilantly
introduce a new section on product safety into the Australian Consumer Law so that all products will be subject to safety requirements.