Bunk Beds

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<div>The Australian Furniture Association has backed issues identified by the ACCC  relating to emerging safety hazards for consumers posed by bunk beds represents.   AFA CEO Patrizia Torelli said under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), mandatory consumer product safety standards are introduced when considered reasonably necessary to prevent or reduce the risk of injury to a person.</div>
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<div>"Recently the AFA has made a submission to the ACCC in relation to the review of the Bunk Bed standard," she said. </div>
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<div>The recommendations are awaiting the Minister’s final decision and an announcement of the new Mandatory Standard and the deadline for transition are scheduled to be made by the end of 2016.’   The mandatory standard for bunk beds defines a bunk bed as either:</div>
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<li>a set of components that are assembled or are ready for assembly into single beds or double/single combination beds which will be stacked one over the other, or</li>
<li>any single bed—other than a hospital bed—where the top of the mattress base is at least 800 mm above the floor surface.</li>
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<div>"Suppliers of bunk beds should be familiar with the ACCC guide to familiarise themselves with the hazards and the mandatory requirements for this product," she said. </div>
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<div>"The new MandatoryStandard will be announced later in the year so manufacturers and importers must be across the changes when they are introduced. The transition period is likely to be less than one year from the date of announcement. It is particularly critical for Importers to be familiar with the changes as early as possible."   "Having just returned from China, we noted the increased number of Australian buyers who will beordering product in time for the Christmas sales period.</div>
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<div>"Container loads of product will hit our shores in time for the Christmas rush, which will potentially only meet the current mandatory standard. The Importers are legally responsible for ensuring that the bunk beds they supply to Australian retailers and distributors meet the mandatory safety standard requirements, which are enforceable by law. </div>
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<div>"Failure to comply can result in legal action, penalties and/or recalls. Therefore, if they are importing the products then they must liaise with their international suppliers to ensure that the design and manufacture of the product meets this requirement."   In the submission to the ACCC the AFA recommended the following additional safety hazards should beaddressed by the new Mandatory Safety Standard:   - Fatigue of joints - Assembly instructions - Chemicals in coatings and plastics (e.g. lead) - Play features - Hand holds near ladders - Drawers in steps   Importers are advised to check in with their suppliers to ensure that product for the Australian market is compliant. While the mandatory standard includes some features which can be visually checked, it also specifies testing to ensure bunk beds meet requirements for safe gap sizes. Suppliers of Bunk Beds need to organise this testing through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment.   "As the national peak industry body for both residential and commercial furniture, the AFA maintains close ties to the national furniture testing laboratory and standards organisations around the world to understand global legislation and consumer protection laws.</div>
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<div>"Our partnerships with TUV Rheinland and Furntech AFRDI, provides our members with easy access to standards testing and certification, making the transition process as smooth as possible for the manufacturer and ultimately ensuring the safety of consumers. The AFA has also recently introduced an international membership forinternational suppliers to Australian Importers. This new development provides education and training tointernational suppliers about Australia’s consumer law, amongst other things, further protecting Australian consumers from potential substandard products." For enquiries relating to the review of the Bunk Bed Mandatory Standard or other compliance matters, consumers and suppliers can contact the AFA on +9856 1600 or email <a href="mailto:compliance@australianfurniture.org.au?subject=New%20Mandatory%20Standard%20for%20Bunk%20Beds%20to%20be%20announced" target="_blank">compliance@australianfurniture.org.au</a></div>
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