Australia: New Mandatory Infant Sleep Product Standards

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has updated the mandatory requirements for infant sleep environments. Suppliers must now demonstrate that their products meet specific technical benchmarks. Depending on the product type, manufacturers may choose to comply with Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) standards or recognized international equivalents from the US (ASTM) or Europe (EN).

1. Requirements for All Infant Sleep Products

Regardless of the specific design, all products intended for sleep must adhere to the core principles of the Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024.

• Surface Incline: Maximum of 7° to the horizontal.

• Surface Firmness: Must pass the firmness test established in AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 (Methods of testing infant products, Method 1: Sleep surfaces—Test for firmness).

• Sides/Containment: Fabric or mesh sides must prevent suffocation and meet specific "breathable" material density requirements.

• Wheels: If fitted, at least two must have functional brakes.

2. Specific Technical Standards by Product Category

The ACCC allows suppliers to choose from the following specific standards to prove "strength, integrity, and safety."

Household Cots

Products must meet the requirements of one of the following:

• AS/NZS 2172:2013 – Cots for household use—Safety requirements.

• ASTM F1169-19 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs.

• BS EN 716-1:2017 – Furniture. Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use.

Folding and Portable Cots

Products must meet the requirements of one of the following:

• AS/NZS 2195:2010 – Folding cots—Safety requirements.

• ASTM F406-22 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards.

• BS EN 716-1:2017 – Furniture. Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use.

Bassinets

Bassinets have specific height and stability requirements:

• Minimum Side Height: 250 mm (measured from the top of the sleep surface to the top of the lowest side).

• Slat/Bar Spacing: If used, bars must be spaced between 50 mm and 65 mm.

• Stability: Must remain stable under the weight and movement of an infant up to the manufacturer's recommended weight limit.