Product Safety

In mid July 2011 the Association hosted a meeting with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA) and the major supermarkets and chain stores on a range of product safety issues.

The MCA presented on the proposed product safety provisions of the new Consumer Law Reform Bill and an update was given on several merchandise standards currently being reviewed or likely to be reviewed in the not too distant future.

The standards under review, in summary, are:

• Children’s Nightclothes – NZRA and MCA are both represented on the Australasian Standards Committee currently considering a review of the present standard. Consumer research is being commissioned on aspects of the standard, including the wording of the current fire labels, as a simple message – for example, ‘Keep away from fire’ - may be preferable to the current complex labelling requirements.
• Lead and Heavy Metals in Toys - an extension is likely to be proposed by MCA to the current product safety standard regulation to provide for maximum levels of lead in toys.
• Household Cots – problems exist internationally over drop side cots.
• Bunk Beds – MCA has commissioned research over whether bunk beds currently sold in New Zealand carry the required information and warnings.
• Baby Sleeping Environments – problems exist internationally over sleeping hammocks.
• Bicycles – some minor changes to the current standard have recently been proposed in Australia but no action is planned until the issues can be considered by the Standards Review Committee.
• Glass Top Tables – later in the year MCA will release a discussion paper on problems with glass, in certain types of glass top tables sold in New Zealand, shattering. The paper will examine what action may be taken, such as the implementation of a Code of Practice.
• Car Safety Seats – the NZRA has joined an Australasian Committee currently reviewing four standards relating to child restraints used in motor vehicles.
• Drawstrings in Children’s Clothing – the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has recently adopted a Voluntary Code of Practice relating to drawstrings in children’s clothing. Thought may be given to adopting a similar regime in New Zealand.

It is likely the next meeting of this group will be held in November 2011.

Further information is available from bhellberg@retail.org.nz.