Australia’s weak product safety laws

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

* 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

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

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.

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.

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

Products with no mandatory safety standard

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.

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