Thousands of pieces of furniture are still devoid of tipping warnings, despite it being made mandatory six months ago.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said a recent sweep of businesses examined over 3000 furniture products at more than 160 stores.
Ms Lowe said of those businesses, 90 per cent were non-compliant with the “mandatory toppling furniture information standard” in relation to one or more of their products and more than half were non-compliant in relation to all products examined.
“Toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000 and causes nearly 20 injuries every week,” she said.
Ms Lowe said the mandatory information standard, which came into effect on May 4 this year, aimed to reduce accidents and deaths due to furniture tipping over.
She said it required toppling furniture safety warnings to be provided to consumers online and in-store at point of sale, on products purchased by consumers, and in instructions that accompanied products.
“Unsecured furniture items like bookcases and cabinets can unexpectedly tip over causing severe injury or death.
“It can happen when a child climbs or pulls on open drawers or when an elderly person uses furniture for support. Young children and older Australians are at greatest risk of injury.”
Ms Lowe said the surveillance, done in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies, included visiting stores around the country and online.
“We are concerned about the low levels of compliance. It is critical that businesses include warnings and safety information on toppling furniture.”
She said about 52 percent were fully non-compliant, meaning all toppling furniture products inspected had either no warning information displayed or had incorrect or incomplete information.
“Only 10 per cent of businesses were assessed as fully compliant with the mandatory information standard requirements.”
