Furniture suppliers must comply with a new mandatory information standard aimed at preventing injuries and deaths caused by toppling furniture, effective May 4, 2025.
This regulation follows a concerning record of at least 28 fatalities—17 of them children under five—since 2000, and more than 900 injuries annually. The standard applies to items such as chest of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, display cabinets, and other furniture taller than 686mm, as well as entertainment units of any height.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the changes require permanent warning labels on certain types of furniture, visible safety warnings in stores and online, safety information, assembly instructions, and advice about anchoring instructions in manuals.
“The information standard raises awareness about the risk of furniture tip-over and empowers consumers with the knowledge they need to safeguard their homes,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.
Suppliers must meet these requirements, and the ACCC will be working with state-based consumer agencies to monitor compliance and take enforcement action if appropriate.”
Tip-over incidents often occur when children climb furniture or when older individuals rely on unstable items for support. The ACCC advises consumers to look for required warning labels, check for stability in-store, select furniture with a broad base, and secure items with wall or floor anchors. While some furniture may not include anchoring kits, additional hardware is widely available from retailers and specialty stores.
Suppliers were given a 12-month transition period to carry out the information and requirements. The standard was created by the Assistant Treasurer on April 13, 2024 and registered on May 3, 2024.
The maximum financial penalties for businesses under Australian law are set at the highest of three possible amounts: $50 million; three times the value of any benefit reasonably attributable to the misconduct if the court can determine that amount; or 30 per cent of the company’s adjusted turnover during the breach period, if the benefit cannot be determined.
For individuals found to be in breach, the maximum financial penalty is $2.5 million.