Need to know
- 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- Current mandatory standards are frighteningly outdated and newer voluntary standards are not being met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.
On this page:
Most products have no mandatory safety standard
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 consistently fail to meet the mandatory standard, the voluntary standard, or both:
- Portable cots (65 tested from 2011–2020): 97% or 63 products failed.
- Strollers (175 tested from 2012–2020): 82% or 144 products failed.
- Double strollers (47 tested from 2012-2019): 85% or 40 products failed.
- Cots (185 tested from 2012–2020): 57% or 106 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).
The sheer volume of these failures and the fact that almost all of these products are still being sold, shows that even for the most strictly regulated products, enforcement of safety standards isn't 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 |
Reese 1523 |
2016 |
Incy Interiors |
Kip |
2015 |
Incy Interiors |
Teeny 1938 |
2018 |
Kaylula |
Sova 4 in 1 |
2014 |
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 |
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 |
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 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 |
Babyhood |
Doppio 2018 model single |
2020 |
|
Babywise |
3 Wheel Stroller |
2013 |
Babyzen |
Zen |
2013 |
Babyzen |
Yoyo |
2015 |
Bebe Care |
Edge 4 Lite |
2014 |
Britax |
e-brake |
2015 |
Britax |
Agile SP |
2016 |
Bumprider |
Connect 51284-77 |
2019 |
|
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 |
|
GB |
Pockit AUS |
2016 |
Greentom |
Upp Classic |
2016 |
Hauck l'Coo |
Pluto 11 |
2014 |
iCandy |
Peach |
2013 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Brand |
Model |
Year tested |
4Baby |
Liteway Travel Cot |
2018 |
Aussie Baby |
CH-8103 |
2012 |
Baby Bjorn |
Travel Cot Easy Go |
2020 |
Baby Björn |
Travel Cot Light |
2016 |
Baby Björn |
Travel Cot Light |
2013 |
Baby Love |
Mascot BL3009 |
2016 |
Babyco |
Edinburgh Statesman 4006375-377 |
2016 |
Babyco |
Classic 4004695 |
2012 |
Babyhood |
Bambino Dormire |
2011 |
Babyhood |
Bambino Dormire 2 in 2 Porta Cot |
2018 |
Babylove |
Mascot |
2011 |
Babylove |
Cruiser Portable Cot |
2014 |
Baby Solutions |
Travel Porta-Cot |
2018 |
Chicco |
Lullaby Easy Portacot |
2020 |
Chicco |
Lullaby LX |
2011 |
Chicco |
Lullaby LX |
2012 |
Chicco |
Lullaby Magic |
2014 |
Childcare |
Galaxy |
2011 |
Childcare |
Matisse 4 in 1 Travel Cot |
2020 |
Childcare |
Orbit DL |
2011 |
Childcare |
Deluxe |
2011 |
Childcare |
Orbit XL 073210-218 |
2012 |
Childcare |
Peuter Luxe Travel Dome |
2013 |
Childcare |
4-in-1 Travel Cot |
2014 |
Childcare |
Galaxy XL Travel Cot |
2014 |
Childcare |
Trio 3 in 1 Travel Cot |
2018 |
Dymples |
Portacot |
2018 |
Elite Baby |
All in 1 Deluxe |
2016 |
Fisher-Price |
Ocean Wonders |
2011 |
Fisher-Price |
Luv U Zoo 074223-230 |
2012 |
Go Safe |
Urbane Portacot |
2014 |
Gold Bug |
Pop-Up Pea Pod |
2013 |
Ingenuity |
Smart and Simple Travel Cot |
2018 |
Joie |
Commuter Change Travel Cot |
2020 |
Joie |
Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot |
2018 |
Joie |
Illusion |
2016 |
Jolly Jumper |
Roma TB-001 |
2012 |
Love N Care |
Deluxe Playland |
2011 |
Love N Care |
3 in 1 Sleep N Go BP 993CL |
2012 |
Love N Care |
Playland Travel Cot |
2014 |
Love N Care |
Playland Travel Cot |
2018 |
Lullaboo |
Port A Cot |
2014 |
Mother's Choice |
Kingdom Deluxe LY504 |
2012 |
Mother's Choice |
Baby Cino LY504 |
2012 |
Mother's Choice |
Happy Pears 015615 |
2016 |
Nuna |
Sena |
2014 |
Phil & Teds |
Traveller |
2013 |
Phil & Teds |
Traveller T3 |
2016 |
Phil & Teds |
Traveller 4 |
2018 |
Roger Armstrong |
Sleep Easy SEEMPE ON |
2012 |
Roger Armstrong |
Sleep Easy Porta-Cot SEE001 |
2014 |
Steelcraft |
Sonnet |
2011 |
Steelcraft |
Eclipse 4 in 1 Portable cot |
2014 |
Steelcraft |
Siesta 2 in 1 Portable Cot |
2014 |
Steelcraft |
4 in 1 34442-Y |
2016 |
Steelcraft |
Sonnet 32439 |
2016 |
Steelcraft |
Snooze-n-Play Portable Cot |
2018 |
Target |
Holiday Portacot |
2018 |
Valco |
Zephyr Portacot |
2014 |
Vee Bee |
Amado Travel & Play Cot |
2018 |
Vee Bee |
Commuter Cot Plus |
2011 |
Vee Bee |
Commuter Plus N8947 |
2012 |
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.