Product safety standards
To help prevent consumers from getting injured by using unsafe products, there are safety standards in place for some products you may sell.
Product safety regulations and standards
There are a number of product safety standards that are set by regulation under the Fair Trading Act. The standards help prevent and reduce the chance of accidents and injuries while consumers are using these products.
The requirements in each product safety standard are different depending on the type of product.
Go to the Standards New Zealand websiteopen_in_new to buy the standards unless stated in the individual product guidance.
Unsafe goods notices
The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs may declare goods unsafe where it appears they may cause injury. You need to ensure you do not supply any product that has been banned by an unsafe goods notice. Anyone who supplies a banned product may be fined.
A number of products are subject to an unsafe goods notice:
- small high-powered magnets
- chainsaws without a chain brake
- lead in children’s toys
- hot water bottles that do not meet the standard
- candles with lead in the wicks and candlewicks containing lead
- pistol crossbows
- inclined infant sleep products.
For more information about unsafe goods notices and any updates please check the Consumer Protection websiteopen_in_new.
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What are product safety regulations and standards?
Product safety regulations set product safety standards that suppliers of certain products must comply with. They are intended to help prevent and reduce the chance of accidents and injuries from using any of these products.Read more -
Baby walkers
As baby walkers allow children who cannot walk to move around faster and further and in different ways than they are able to on their own, children may get hurt when using one.Read more -
Children's nightwear
Children may be injured if their nightwear accidentally catches on fire. To help prevent injuries, all new and used clothing suitable for children to wear as nightwear must be made of fabric less likely to burn or to have a fire hazard information label.Read more -
Children's toys
Children under the age of 36 months are less able to cough up anything they swallow and may choke if they inhale a part of a toy (including a battery) when they are playing with it.Read more -
Cigarette lighters
Cigarette lighters that are unsafe, do not work properly or are used incorrectly, particularly by children, may cause accidental fires and injuries.Read more -
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Pedal bicycles
Cyclists may be injured by riding an unsafe bicycle. To help prevent injuries, new bicycles must meet design and performance requirements and also have warning labels attached.Read more -
Sunscreen
The law puts in place rules to ensure sunscreen products go through consistent and internationally recognised testing of the product performance and labelling requirements.Read more