ACCC set to enforce mandatory toppling furniture safety standards: What furniture suppliers need to know
4 mins reading time
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has signalled a significant shift in its approach to enforcing the mandatory information standard for toppling furniture, following a recent sweep that revealed widespread non-compliance across the industry. This development should serve as a wake-up call for all furniture suppliers, importers, and retailers, as the ACCC prepares to take a more active role in ensuring that businesses meet their obligations to protect consumers from the dangers of unstable furniture.
The rise of mandatory standards
As highlighted in our previous article, “New Standards for Suppliers to Alert to Dangers of Toppling Furniture”, the introduction of the mandatory information standard was a direct response to the tragic and preventable injuries and fatalities caused by furniture tip-overs, particularly involving children. The standard, which came into effect in May 2022, requires suppliers of certain types of household furniture (such as chests of drawers, wardrobes, and bookcases) to provide clear warnings and safety information to consumers at the point of sale and on the product itself.
The requirements are not limited to physical stores — online retailers and importers are equally bound by the standard. The aim is to ensure that consumers are made aware of the risks and are provided with guidance on how to secure furniture to prevent tip-overs.
The ACCC’s recent findings: A stark warning
On 6 November 2025, the ACCC released the results of a nationwide compliance sweep, examining over 3,000 furniture products across more than 160 businesses. The findings were sobering.
The ACCC found:
- 90% of businesses were non-compliant with the mandatory information standard in relation to at least one product.
- More than half of the businesses were non-compliant across all products examined.
The most common issues identified included the absence of required warning labels, missing or inadequate safety information, and failures to provide anchoring devices or instructions for securing furniture. The ACCC’s media release made it clear that these shortcomings are not merely technical breaches, they represent a real risk to consumer safety.
What does this mean for furniture suppliers?
The ACCC’s announcement is more than just a warning — it is a clear indication that enforcement action is imminent. Businesses that fail to comply with the standard may face a range of consequences, including:
- Mandatory recalls of non-compliant products
- Infringement notices and financial penalties
- Court-enforceable undertakings or litigation.
Given the scale of non-compliance identified, the ACCC is likely to prioritise enforcement in the coming months. This means that suppliers, importers, and retailers must act now to review their product lines, labelling, and sales processes to ensure full compliance.
Key compliance obligations
To recap, the mandatory information standard requires:
- Warning labels: All applicable furniture must display a clear and permanent warning label about the risk of tip-over.
- Safety information: Suppliers must provide consumers with information on how to anchor the furniture safely, both at the point of sale and with the product.
- Anchoring devices: Where required, anchoring devices must be supplied with the product, along with installation instructions.
- Online sales: The same warnings and safety information must be clearly displayed on product listings for online sales.
It is not sufficient to rely on generic warnings or to assume that consumers are aware of the risks. The standard is prescriptive, and the ACCC has demonstrated that it will scrutinise both the content and the visibility of safety information.
Practical steps for businesses
Given the ACCC’s renewed focus, businesses should take the following steps as a matter of urgency:
- Audit product ranges: Review all furniture products to determine which items are covered by the standard and whether they meet the labelling and information requirements.
- Update labels and instructions: Ensure that all warning labels and safety instructions are compliant with the standard’s specifications, including font size, wording, and placement.
- Train staff: Educate sales and customer service staff about the requirements, so they can provide accurate information to consumers.
- Review online listings: Check that all online product descriptions include the required warnings and safety information.
- Engage with suppliers: If you are sourcing products from overseas or third-party manufacturers, ensure that they understand and comply with Australian requirements.
The cost of non-compliance for furniture suppliers
The ACCC’s findings make it clear that ignorance of the standard is no defence. The reputational and financial risks of non-compliance are significant, and the cost of rectifying issues after enforcement action is taken far exceed the investment required to achieve compliance in the first place.
Macpherson Kelley’s Competition & Consumer lawyers can help
Navigating the complexities of the mandatory information standard can be challenging, particularly for businesses with extensive product ranges or international supply chains. Macpherson Kelley has extensive experience advising suppliers, importers, and retailers on product safety compliance, and can assist with:
- Conducting compliance audits
- Drafting and reviewing warning labels and safety instructions
- Advising on recall procedures and risk mitigation
- Training staff and updating internal processes.
If you are unsure whether your business is meeting its obligations, or if you need assistance in implementing the required processes and procedures to ensure compliance, contact Mark Metzeling or a member of our Competition and Consumer team for expert guidance and practical support. Taking proactive steps now will help safeguard your business and, most importantly, protect your customers.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and cannot be relied on as legal advice nor does it create an engagement. Please contact one of our lawyers listed above for advice about your specific situation.
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ACCC set to enforce mandatory toppling furniture safety standards: What furniture suppliers need to know
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has signalled a significant shift in its approach to enforcing the mandatory information standard for toppling furniture, following a recent sweep that revealed widespread non-compliance across the industry. This development should serve as a wake-up call for all furniture suppliers, importers, and retailers, as the ACCC prepares to take a more active role in ensuring that businesses meet their obligations to protect consumers from the dangers of unstable furniture.
The rise of mandatory standards
As highlighted in our previous article, “New Standards for Suppliers to Alert to Dangers of Toppling Furniture”, the introduction of the mandatory information standard was a direct response to the tragic and preventable injuries and fatalities caused by furniture tip-overs, particularly involving children. The standard, which came into effect in May 2022, requires suppliers of certain types of household furniture (such as chests of drawers, wardrobes, and bookcases) to provide clear warnings and safety information to consumers at the point of sale and on the product itself.
The requirements are not limited to physical stores — online retailers and importers are equally bound by the standard. The aim is to ensure that consumers are made aware of the risks and are provided with guidance on how to secure furniture to prevent tip-overs.
The ACCC’s recent findings: A stark warning
On 6 November 2025, the ACCC released the results of a nationwide compliance sweep, examining over 3,000 furniture products across more than 160 businesses. The findings were sobering.
The ACCC found:
- 90% of businesses were non-compliant with the mandatory information standard in relation to at least one product.
- More than half of the businesses were non-compliant across all products examined.
The most common issues identified included the absence of required warning labels, missing or inadequate safety information, and failures to provide anchoring devices or instructions for securing furniture. The ACCC’s media release made it clear that these shortcomings are not merely technical breaches, they represent a real risk to consumer safety.
What does this mean for furniture suppliers?
The ACCC’s announcement is more than just a warning — it is a clear indication that enforcement action is imminent. Businesses that fail to comply with the standard may face a range of consequences, including:
- Mandatory recalls of non-compliant products
- Infringement notices and financial penalties
- Court-enforceable undertakings or litigation.
Given the scale of non-compliance identified, the ACCC is likely to prioritise enforcement in the coming months. This means that suppliers, importers, and retailers must act now to review their product lines, labelling, and sales processes to ensure full compliance.
Key compliance obligations
To recap, the mandatory information standard requires:
- Warning labels: All applicable furniture must display a clear and permanent warning label about the risk of tip-over.
- Safety information: Suppliers must provide consumers with information on how to anchor the furniture safely, both at the point of sale and with the product.
- Anchoring devices: Where required, anchoring devices must be supplied with the product, along with installation instructions.
- Online sales: The same warnings and safety information must be clearly displayed on product listings for online sales.
It is not sufficient to rely on generic warnings or to assume that consumers are aware of the risks. The standard is prescriptive, and the ACCC has demonstrated that it will scrutinise both the content and the visibility of safety information.
Practical steps for businesses
Given the ACCC’s renewed focus, businesses should take the following steps as a matter of urgency:
- Audit product ranges: Review all furniture products to determine which items are covered by the standard and whether they meet the labelling and information requirements.
- Update labels and instructions: Ensure that all warning labels and safety instructions are compliant with the standard’s specifications, including font size, wording, and placement.
- Train staff: Educate sales and customer service staff about the requirements, so they can provide accurate information to consumers.
- Review online listings: Check that all online product descriptions include the required warnings and safety information.
- Engage with suppliers: If you are sourcing products from overseas or third-party manufacturers, ensure that they understand and comply with Australian requirements.
The cost of non-compliance for furniture suppliers
The ACCC’s findings make it clear that ignorance of the standard is no defence. The reputational and financial risks of non-compliance are significant, and the cost of rectifying issues after enforcement action is taken far exceed the investment required to achieve compliance in the first place.
Macpherson Kelley’s Competition & Consumer lawyers can help
Navigating the complexities of the mandatory information standard can be challenging, particularly for businesses with extensive product ranges or international supply chains. Macpherson Kelley has extensive experience advising suppliers, importers, and retailers on product safety compliance, and can assist with:
- Conducting compliance audits
- Drafting and reviewing warning labels and safety instructions
- Advising on recall procedures and risk mitigation
- Training staff and updating internal processes.
If you are unsure whether your business is meeting its obligations, or if you need assistance in implementing the required processes and procedures to ensure compliance, contact Mark Metzeling or a member of our Competition and Consumer team for expert guidance and practical support. Taking proactive steps now will help safeguard your business and, most importantly, protect your customers.