Review of the Australian Consumer Product Safety System

The Productivity Commission’s research report into the 'Review of the Australian Consumer Product Safety System', was released on 7 February 2006. The Commission was requested to undertake a research study to examine the impacts of options for reforming Australia’s general consumer product safety system. The Commission’s final report recommends a new national approach is needed to improve Australia’s consumer product safety system. The adoption of a single national law and regulator, replacing the States and Territories authority, is recommended by the Commission as a key reform to create a more consistent and responsive consumer product protection system. The Commission has also called for the responsiveness of the system to be improved by: introducing a new requirement for suppliers to notify the regulator of products associated with serious injury or death; developing a nationally coordinated product hazard identification system; and improving the targeting and timeliness of standards-making processes. To address information gaps, the Commission has endorsed a number of initiatives including: a national internet based one-stop shop for business and consumer information; and a one-off base line research study into the incidence and costs of product-related accidents, and an analysis of their causes.