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There are currently three pieces of legislation in Tasmania which deal with product safety related issues:
The Sale of Hazardous Goods Act 1977 provides for the investigation and control of the sale of potentially hazardous products. The Act establishes a Products Safety Committee, consisting of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Director of Public Health, and a Ministerial appointee. The Committee is responsible for investigating possible product hazards, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Minister.
The Act refers to the 'sale' of products, but not the 'supply' of products. There is no coverage of services, which could be hazardous to the user. The Act provides powers to prohibit, restrict or place conditions on the sale of products likely to be hazardous to users. This is in the form of a temporary or permanent ban.
Wholesalers are also required, under the Act, to notify the Product Safety Committee of any product in their possession, which is likely to be a source of danger.
Temporary Ban
A temporary ban is made by the Minister to remove products from sale and/or place conditions on the sale of a product while it us under investigation for a suspected hazard. The ban is in place until removed or replaced with a permanent order.
Permanent Ban
A permanent ban is made by the Product Safety Committee where a product is deemed to have a confirmed hazard. A permanent banning order may prohibit the sale of a product, or place restrictions or conditions on its sale.
For further information about products banned from sale in Tasmania click here.
Flammable Clothing Act 1973 provides for mandatory labelling to appear on prescribed articles of children's clothing specifying its flammability rating. Provision is also made for calling up regulations relating to the degree of flammability, or the effect of heat on, any article of clothing, and the manner in which the article of clothing is to be marked or labelled. New mandatory standards, Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1249:1999, Children's Nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard, was published on 5 April 1999. The standards will ensure that children's nightwear garments conform to design and fabric specifications to reduce their flammability, and the risk of fire injury to children.
A Facts and Information Sheet on Children's Nightwear is available on our Publications page.
The Goods (Trade Descriptions) Act 1971 provides for various textile and footwear goods to be comprised of specified materials, and labelled as such. The items covered include shoes, slippers and sandals; natural and artificial textiles; yarns, threads and lace; carpets; clothing; and the labelling of woollen and wool blend textiles and garments. Provision is made for the declaration of safety and/or information standards.
