Furniture suppliers must familiarize themselves with the new mandatory information standards for toppling furniture. This is to reduce the risk of death and injury, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
From May next year, furniture suppliers will have to abide by this rule or face harsh punishment of a fine.
Furniture suppliers have to warn consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture hazards. The regulations come amid new statistics that more than 900 Australians need medical assistance for their injuries due to toppling furniture each year.
The standards apply to chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, hall tables, and display cabinets. It also includes entertainment units of any height.
The ACCC says it’s preparing to meet with the furniture industry in due course to provide guidance and a plan to apply the new standards. If, however, companies fail to comply with the standards after May 2025, they will not be prosecuted. A 12-month “transition period” will allow companies to fully comply with the instructions. However, after the transition period, companies could face penalties.
New safety standards
The new safety standards don’t apply to furniture that a consumer buys and is being resold, and they also don’t apply to second-hand furniture.
The standards apply to the following furniture, which has been divided into three categories according to the Australian government’s regulations: bookcases, clothing storage units, entertainment units, tables, and cabinets.
Safety standards: Category 1
- A clothing storage unit or bookcase with a height of 686 mm or more.
- A clothing storage unit primarily stores clothes and has one or more doors or drawers.
Safety standards: Category 2
- Entertainment units of any height.
- Typically, it’s used for displaying televisions or home theater systems.
Safety standards: Category 3
- Hall tables.
- Display cabinets.
- Buffets and sideboards with a height of 686 mm or more.
Solution: Selling flat-pack furniture
Amart, a leading furniture retailer in Australia with over 67 stores, says flat-pack furniture makes it easier for customers to assemble safely and affordably.
What is flat-pack furniture?
Flat-pack furniture is when parts arrive at a customer’s home in flat parts and require self-assembly. “It might not be such a new concept to most people today, but flat-pack furniture is part of modern history,” says Amart.
According to the furniture retailer, there are a few essential things to remember when assembling.
- Before starting your project, read through the instructions carefully and ensure there is enough space around you.
- Be patient, it takes time to screw and attach the right panels to the right places. If you are unsure, ask for help.
- Lastly, ensure your finished project is safe and secure before using it.
Tips for assembling furniture
Amart provides five essential tools for customers to assemble flat-pack furniture. Most of the ‘ready to assemble’ products come with their own specialized tools to make assembling the furniture as easy as possible.
Here are their top tips for assembling furniture:
- Keep a multi-head screwdriver in your toolbox that will help make the assembling part quicker.
- It’s handy to keep a small hammer with a rubber attachment and secure nails when needed.
- A Standley knife is also handy for DIY projects.
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About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
