Most furniture suppliers are failing to comply with new mandatory information rules that warn customers of the dangers of furniture tipping over, a sweep of businesses has revealed.
The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies examined over 3000 furniture products at more than 160 businesses.
Of those businesses, 90 per cent were non-compliant with the mandatory toppling furniture information standard in relation to one or more of their products and more than half were non-compliant in relation to all products examined.
Toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000 and causes nearly 20 injuries every week. The mandatory information standard, which came into effect on 4 May 2025, aims to reduce accidents and deaths due to furniture tipping over.
It requires toppling furniture safety warnings to be provided to consumers online and in-store at point of sale, on products purchased by consumers, and in instructions that accompany products.
"Unsecured furniture items like bookcases and cabinets can unexpectedly tip over causing severe injury or death," ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
"It can happen when a child climbs or pulls on open drawers or when an elderly person uses furniture for support. Young children and older Australians are at greatest risk of injury."
"We undertook surveillance, in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies, which included visiting stores around the country and online, to raise awareness of the importance of compliance with the new mandatory information standard," Ms Lowe said.
"We are concerned about the low levels of compliance. It is critical that businesses include warnings and safety information on toppling furniture."
The sweep found 90 per cent of furniture suppliers had one or more products which failed to include mandatory warnings.
About 52 per cent were fully non-compliant, meaning all toppling furniture products inspected had either no warning information displayed or had incorrect or incomplete information.
Only 10 per cent of businesses were assessed as fully compliant with the mandatory information standard requirements.
"The ACCC expects suppliers to take all reasonable steps to comply with the standard, to reduce the risk of death and injury associated with toppling furniture," Ms Lowe said.
"We will be continuing to monitor businesses to ensure they are displaying the mandatory safety warnings so that consumers have the information they need to stay safe.
"We expect to see significant improvement in compliance and will consider enforcement action if this does not occur," Ms Lowe said.
The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies have informed furniture suppliers who were assessed as non-compliant and requested rectification. Suppliers who fail to comply with the standard may face enforcement action including fines and penalties.
Suppliers had a 12-month transition period from May 2024 to May 2025 to comply with the new information and labelling requirements.
Information for suppliers
Supplying a product that fails to comply with the information standard is a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law and may expose a business or individual to potential enforcement action by the ACCC.
The maximum financial penalties for businesses are the greatest of:
- $50,000,000;
- three times the value of the "reasonably attributable" benefit obtained from the conduct, if the court can determine this; or
- if a court cannot determine the benefit, 30 per cent of adjusted turnover during the breach period.
The maximum financial penalty for individuals is $2,500,000.
The ACCC published supplier guidance to assist suppliers to comply with the mandatory standard.
The information standard requires suppliers to:
- attach permanent safety warning labels to furniture,
- display safety warnings at the point of sale in-store and online, and
- provide safety information and warnings in instruction manuals.
All suppliers in the supply chain, including retailers, wholesalers and distributers, are required to comply with the mandatory information standard.
ACCC consumer guidance
The ACCC published consumer guidance to inform consumers about the risks associated with toppling furniture, including how to pick safer furniture when shopping and how to properly anchor furniture to prevent tip over.
Consumers are encouraged to report concerns about unsafe or non-compliant furniture items to the supplier and the ACCC using the Product Safety Australia website.
