ACCC Update to Toy Regulations.

The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has just updated the Consumer Goods (Toys for Children up to and including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard to the latest 2023 version. The mandatory standard was originally created to reduce the possibility of small parts releasing or detaching from toys during play or after reasonable wear and tear, helping to prevent choking, suffocation or a fatality.

Removing a toy's battery compartment lid with a tool

This regulation now recognises four of the global standards for children’s toy safety.

  • Australian standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023: Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.
  • International (ISO) standard ISO 8124 1:2022: Safety of toys – Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.
  • European (EN) standard EN 71 1:2014 + A1:2018: Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties.
  • American (ASTM) standard ASTM F963 17: Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.

Australia now recognises that all of the above standards provide acceptable safety outcomes, making it much easier for global brands to meet Australian regulations.

Crucially, the mandatory standard reinforces the requirements for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age containing any type of battery that may pose a choking hazard. The battery compartment must now be secured in such a way that it can only be accessed by using a tool. This should remove any uncertainties for suppliers and manufacturers regarding the requirements for design and construction of items that contain batteries.

Suppliers have until March 4, 2025 to transition to the requirements of the new mandatory standard.

Please ask us if you need any assistance with toy product compliance issues.

This communication (including any attachment) has been prepared by BWES and is based on the available information at the time of publication and is believed to be true and accurate. The information contained in this communication should be used as a guide only and may cease to apply if applicable regulation or the product’s design or application is altered. BWES does not take responsibility for any Injury, Loss for damage suffered by any party’s interpretation or decisions made by any party on the information provided in this communication.