Product Safety
Guidelines
Product Safety Guidelines –
The Safety of Toys and Novelties being supplied to Shows
Part 1 – Guiding Principles
1.1 These guidelines cover the supply of toys and novelties being supplied in the following
circumstances:



Supplied in show bags;
Sold by stallholders; and
Given away as prizes
1.2 The show bag supplier, stallholder or prize supplier is responsible for the safety of the products
they supply at shows.
1.3 The provision of a test report that is less than 12 months old from the date of supply that can show
compliance with a relevant standard is the best way of demonstrating compliance with mandatory
safety requirements and providing evidence of best practice for voluntary safety requirements.
1.4 The government regulator has an obligation to monitor the supply of toys and novelties supplied at
shows to ensure that the risk of injury associated with unsafe toys and novelties is minimized.
1.5 The government regulator has an obligation to work cooperatively with other regulators to ensure a
consistent approach to product safety apart from an exceptional local requirement (i.e. a product is
banned or subject to a mandatory standard in one jurisdiction but not others). Regulators will
consider other jurisdictions decisions on compliance but the final decision on issues rests with
individual state regulators. Note: projectile toys are excluded from this principle (see Part 2.2)
1.6 The show societies are responsible for the management of show bag suppliers, stallholders
and the suppliers of toys and novelties as prizes. They have an obligation to play an active part in
the supply process and ultimately take the same level of responsibility for what is supplied at shows
as the individual product supplier.
Part 2- Mandatory Safety Standards and Banned Products
1. Australian/New Zealand Standard – Safety of Toys, Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties (ISO
8124.1:2000MOD) Show Toy Safety Guidelines Revised March 05.DOC
2.1 All toys and novelties subject to mandatory safety standards shall have a test report that
demonstrates compliance with the required mandatory standards. Mandatory standards apply to toys
suitable for children up to and including 36 months of age; including all plush toys (see Part 3.4 for age-grading).
The toys must not produce a choking or inhalation hazard when tested to key parts of AS/NZS ISO
8124.1:20021 in accordance with Commonwealth of Australia Consumer Protection Notice No. 14 of
2003
2.2 Because of the potential for serious eye injury and asphyxiation, all projectile toys shall have a test
report that demonstrates compliance with the mandatory safety standard that applies in New South
Wales and other state and territory Fair Trading jurisdictions. This adopts key criteria of AS/NZS ISO
8124.1: 2002 relating to the energy of discharged projectiles and protective tips. It is important to note
that the standard will not allow projectiles small enough to fit entirely into the truncated test cylinder
described in part 5 of AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002 that are a choking hazard.
Note also, that the New South Wales and Queensland standard deviates from the Australian/New
Zealand Standard regarding improvised projectiles. A projectile toy’s discharge mechanism must not,
without modification, be able to propel an improvised projectile in free flight for a distance (measured
horizontally) of more than 300 mm. when discharged at a height of 300 mm. Improvised projectiles are
defined as a battery, coin, marble, nail, paper clip, pebble pen, pen cap, pencil, pen refill or stone.
2.1 All cosmetic products shall have a list of ingredients clearly visible to the purchaser that complies
with the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards)(Cosmetic) Regulations. This also
applies to temporary body tattoos and toy cosmetics.
2.2 Toys designed to expand in water may be subject to mandatory safety standards in some states –
suppliers should check with state and territory fair trading regulators (see 2.7)
2.3 Electronic toys or radio communication products may be subject to regulation by the Australian
Communications Authority (details can be obtained from the following internet site: www.aca.gov.au)
2.4 Showbag suppliers should check frequently with state and territory fair trading regulators on the
range of products that are banned.
2.5 Fair Trading regulators have authority to pursue possible prosecution action against suppliers who
breach compliance with mandatory standards or product bans. Further information on laws and
mandatory standards that apply across Australia can be obtained at the following internet sites:
ACT Office of Fair Trading
Consumer Affairs Victoria
NSW Office of Fair Trading
Affairs
S.A. Office of Consumer and Business
Affairs
Tasmanian Consumer Affairs
And Fair Trading
W.A. Consumer and
Employment Protection
Qld. Office of Fair Trading
Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission
www.fairtrading.act.gov.au
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
www.caba.nt.gov.au
www.ocba.sa.gov.au
www.consumer.tas.gov.au
www.docep.wa.gov.au
www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
www.accc.gov.au
Part 3 – Best Practice (for products that are not subject to regulation)
3.1 All toys and novelties supplied at shows should comply with a recognized and applicable standard
(or part of a recognized and applicable standard). This could be an Australian Standard or an
equivalent overseas standard. The provision of recent test reports (i.e. under 12 months old) is the
best way of demonstrating compliance.
The range of products that would fall into this category includes (but is not limited to): joke and magic
toys, noise producing toys. Musical toys, liquid filled toys, modeling materials, mouth activated toys,
dressing up toys, paints, toys that cover the face, toy jewellery, toys that resemble food, battery
powered toys, toys containing explosive material and glass or ceramic products, sunglasses and ride
on toys (e.g. micro scooters)
3.2 There is no mandatory requirement to label or otherwise mark show bags with safety warnings.
This includes a show bag that is a backpack; carry case, or, other container. However, if no safety
warning label or marking is shown, it will be assumed that the show bag and its contents are suitable
for all age groups (i.e. from ages naught and above, which may mean that the items supplied must
comply with mandatory safety standards).
If a show bag is labeled with safety warnings, the labeling must be clear and in a prominent position.
If a show bag is labeled as not suitable for a particular age group (usually for children up to and
including 36 months of age) then the contents of the show bag must reflect the age labeling statement.
3.3 There is no requirement to place air holes in bags providing the supplier can provide evidence that
the bag, by its shape and manufacture, is not an asphyxiation hazard. Part 4.10 of AS/NZS ISO
8124.1:2002 and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Age Determination
Guidelines (www.cpsc.gov)
Disclaimer
The information in these guidelines is provided only for the assistance of suppliers and should not be
relied upon as legal advice.
Mandatory Standards
Toys suitable for ages up to and including 36 months

Must not produce choking/inhalation hazard. (Compliance certificate AS/NZS ISO 8124.1: 2002)
Stuffed Toys
 Projections not pull off easily & safe seam strength – not release ‘small parts’
 Clean filling
 No sharps
 Coverings – no excessive shedding of loose fibres.
Projective Toys
 No short suction tipped darts –less than 57mm total length.
 No ‘small parts’
 Protective ring around rotors and star shaped projectiles
 Protective tips should not pull off easily.
 Safe force-of – impact- Compliance certificate (AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002)?
Not discharge improvised projectile for 300mm. without dropping below horizontal.
Cosmetics (inc. temporary tattoos) – must show ingredients.
Electronic Toys, R/C & Radio Communication Products – R/C Toys & walkie-talkies, must meet
Australian Communication Authority criteria – check labeling. Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC)
‘TICK’. 240 v battery charges – plugs labeled with Electric Authority Approval number & EMC ‘tick’.
Non-Mandatory (Best Practices)
Water expanding novelties- Not suitable for ages under 36 months – age suitability/warning label.
Joke & Magic – Not toxic or sharp points/edges.
Noise Toys – not too loud, especially close –to-ear or rattle/squeeze toys. Exempt blow-action
whistles & toy instruments AND muscular-action xylophones, bells & drums. Noise toys are suitable for
under 3’s
Liquid –Filled- No petroleum/oil. Water drinkable. Disappearing ink not highly acidic/alkaline.
Luminescent not toxic and warning-labeled
Modeling material – non toxic
Mouth Toys – No sharp edges/points
Painted toys, paints, colouring materials – non-toxic.
Toys that cover the head or face should impact-safe
Toy jewellery should not produce hazards:
 Strangulation
 Sharp edges or points
 Toxic
 Small parts (if intended for under 3’s)
Battery Powered Toys – small(button) batteries accessible only by tool
Toy Sunglasses – labeled ‘toy sunglasses’
Inflatable toys should not liberate small polystyrene beads)- Test certificate?
Comics
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Theme appropriate to age recommendation of show bag.
No restricted or ‘M’ rated comics except where show bag and point – of-sale promotional
information is marked content not suitable for ages under 15 years
N/A
Particular unsafe or banned toys
Look out for
Novelty flashing dummies – ‘small parts’ choking hazard
Yo Yo Balls (elasticized). Strangulation hazard
Items Banned at all Agricultural Shows
Drug related Goods (including Cocaine Kits, Bongs Etc.)
Explicit and Hardcore T-Shirts
Fake Cigarettes
Fireworks – Crackers
Fuel type Fire lighters (Zippo)
Horns and Trumpets
Knives (including Pen Knives)
Laser pointers
Metal and wooden Martial Art Nunchakas
Playing Cards (nude or lurid)
Pressure Pack Snow
Silly String
Stink Bombs
Bouncing Beans
Shang-hi/sling shots
Toy Guns are acceptable, however the following are not:
Ball-bearing Guns, Eight Shot Caps, Pellet Guns’, Pop Downs (Throw Downs), Potato Guns
Replica guns (Bullet Type), Roll Caps, Strip Caps, Water pistols over 150mm (6 inches)
Exhibitor Car Park
Southern Park
Little Hands on the
Farm
Central
Park
Village
Green
Founders
Pavilion
Show Office
EQ Village
Dairy cattle
Beef cattle
Cattle Pavilion
Northern Park
Side Show Alley