Most Australian Furniture Suppliers Fail to Meet New Safety Labelling Standards

A recent ACCC investigation has revealed that the vast majority of furniture suppliers across Australia are failing to comply with the new mandatory safety information standard for toppling furniture.

The sweep, conducted in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies, inspected more than 3,000 furniture products across 160 businesses. The findings were alarming — 90 per cent of businesses were non-compliant in some way, and over half were entirely non-compliant across all inspected items.

Toppling furniture can be deadly — ensure your products meet Australia’s mandatory safety labelling standards.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), these failures pose serious safety risks to consumers, particularly young children and elderly Australians.

Why Toppling Furniture Is a Serious Safety Concern

Since 2000, at least 28 people in Australia have died and nearly 20 people are injured every week due to furniture tipping over. Common household items such as bookcases, cabinets and drawers can unexpectedly topple when climbed on or pulled, leading to devastating consequences.

The mandatory information standard, which came into effect on 4 May 2025, was designed to reduce these incidents by requiring clear, visible safety warnings both online and in-store, as well as on the furniture itself and within instruction manuals.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe emphasised that unsecured furniture can easily cause severe injury or death, and warned that “it is critical that businesses include warnings and safety information on toppling furniture.”

Non-Compliance Could Mean Heavy Penalties

Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), failing to meet a mandatory information standard is a serious offence. The ACCC has warned that enforcement action — including fines and penalties — will follow if suppliers do not improve compliance levels.

Businesses that breach the standard face substantial penalties, including:

• Up to $50 million for corporations, or

• Three times the value of the benefit gained, or

• 30% of adjusted turnover during the breach period (whichever is greater).

  
  

  For individuals, the maximum penalty is $2.5 million.

Suppliers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, are all required to comply. The ACCC has contacted non-compliant businesses, requesting immediate rectification.

Compliance Steps for Furniture Suppliers

To meet the mandatory requirements, suppliers must ensure that all toppling furniture products include:

• Permanent safety warning labels attached to the item.

• Visible warnings at the point of sale (both in-store and online).

• Safety instructions within product manuals.

Suppliers who fail to comply risk not only financial penalties but also reputational damage and potential product recalls.

For Consumers: How to Stay Safe

Consumers are urged to:

• Check for safety labels and instructions when purchasing new furniture.

• Anchor heavy furniture to walls where possible.

• Report unsafe or non-compliant items to suppliers or via the Product Safety Australia website.

The ACCC has published guidance for both suppliers and consumers to help raise awareness and reduce the risk of injury in Australian homes.

Our So What!?

This latest enforcement update from the ACCC is a timely reminder that compliance with product safety standards is not optional — it’s a legal obligation.

If your business imports, sells or manufactures furniture, it’s crucial to ensure your labelling and safety information meets the current standard. The cost of non-compliance — both financially and reputationally — can be far greater than the cost of compliance.

At Bane Legal Services, we’re not a law firm and we don’t provide legal advice. However, with over 30 years of business experience, we can connect you with the right commercial or consumer law expert to help ensure your business meets all its obligations under the Australian Consumer Law.

For more information about this issue, you can read the original ACCC media release here: Most furniture suppliers fail mandatory toppling furniture safety rules