Introducing the New Infant Sleep Safety Standards (2024)
At the National Consumer Congress 2024, the ACCC outlined the introduction of these sleep product safety and information standards as aiming to improve the safety of baby products.
The ACCC have signalled young children to be a significant focus of their product safety work 2024-25, stating that this group is among the most vulnerable to harm from unsafe products. This was additionally seen in their toppling furniture standard (2024), where they cited the danger to young children, also supporting a broader concern for product safety online, sustainability concerns and overall increased consumer protection in Australia.
From 19 January 2026, businesses must comply with these standards. There is a transition period from now till then for businesses to prepare to meet the new requirements, where you can continue to comply with the previous standards. As consumers face many challenges – all of which are amplified by cost-of-living pressures – efforts to protect your consumers are more important than ever, especially those of such a defenceless group.
Do they apply to your products?
These standards apply to you if you sell items within the infant sleep products category (see key definitions below).
| These include, but are not limited to: | They do not however apply to: |
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| Additionally where certain inclined products are designed and marketed for use by an infant for the purpose of sleep, they are also infant sleep products. Some examples are: | |
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| KEY DEFINITIONS:
1. infant referring to: (a) a person under the age of 12 months; or (b) a person over the age of 12 months that might reasonably use the product.
2. infant sleep product referring to: (a) a product that: (i) is designed, intended, marketed, supplied, or offered for supply, for use as a sleeping facility for an infant or for use as a facility to soothe or settle an infant; and (ii) has a surface on which an infant may lay; and (b) includes a product that is designed to convert to an infant sleep product. |
How do I comply?
Complying with Australia’s mandatory standards for infant sleep products involves adhering to specific design, construction, performance, testing, and information requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of infants using your products. These standards are detailed in the Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024 and the Consumer Goods (Infant Products) Information Standard 2024.
During the transitional period until the new standards are enforced your product must comply with previous Consumer Product Safety Standards. You can find more details in the Safety Standard 2024 document.
General Design and Construction Requirements:
| Feature | Requirement |
| Sleep Surface Incline | The sleeping surface must be flat, with an incline not exceeding 7 degrees to the horizontal, and should not be curved. |
| Rocking or Swinging Products: | If the product rocks or swings, it must not have a tilt or incline greater than 7 degrees to the horizontal. |
| Surface Rigidity | The sleep surface, including any mattress, must be sufficiently firm and rigid to support an infant safely. |
| Mattress | Dimensions must be clearly indicated on the product, should fit snugly with no gaps between the mattress asides of the product, and must not fold or separate when laid on if segmented. |
| Side Materials | Mesh or fabric sides must be firm enough to prevent covering the infant’s nose or mouth, reducing the risk of suffocation, and should be made of breathable material. |
| Restraint Systems | The inclusion of restraint systems, harnesses, or straps is prohibited. |
| Hazard Prevention | The product must be free from sharp points or edges that could puncture a baby’s skin and must not have gaps that can trap an infant’s head, neck, limbs, or fingers. Additionally it should not have any ribbons, cords or other decorations that may pose a strangulation hazard to an infant. |
| Mobility Features | If fitted with castors or wheels, at least two must have brakes to prevent unintended movement. |
| Locking Mechanisms | Any locking mechanism must have a clearly distinct locked position, making it apparent when engaged and ensuring it can only be disengaged intentionally. |
Note: Please find associated general safety requirements test methods for all sleep products in the Safety Standard Document (Division 2—General requirements)
Specific Requirements for Household Cots:
Household cots must comply with additional requirements concerning construction, dimensions, footholds, impact resistance, entrapment prevention, stability, and strength. Cots with drop sides must meet specific design criteria for access fastening devices, drop side guides, and durability. Compliance can be achieved by adhering to one of the following standards:
- AS/NZS 2172:2013, Cots for household use – Safety requirements
- ASTM F1169-19, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs
- BS EN 716-1:2017 Furniture. Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use
Specific Requirements for Folding Cots:
Folding cots must meet specific design, construction, entrapment prevention, stability, and strength requirements. Compliance can be achieved by adhering to one of the following standards:
- AS/NZS 2195:2010, Folding cots – Safety requirements
- ASTM F406-22, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards
- BS EN 716-1:2017 Furniture. Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use
Specific Requirements for Bassinets:
Bassinets must adhere to additional requirements, including:
- Side Height: A minimum of 250 mm from the sleep surface to the top edge of the lowest side or end.
- Gap Dimensions: Any gaps between filler bars or slats should measure between 50 mm and 65 mm.
- Stability: The bassinet must be stable and able to safely contain a baby.
- Warnings: A warning indicating that the bassinet shouldn’t be used once the infant begins to push up on their hands and knees or once the infant has reached the manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight.
What are the Information and Labelling Requirements?
The mandatory information standard requires that all infant sleep products, as well as inclined non-sleep products, provide clear warnings and safety information. This includes details on safe assembly, proper use, recommended mattress size (if applicable), and any necessary warnings. Markings indicating the manufacturing origin must also be provided on the product.
By adhering to these comprehensive requirements, manufacturers and suppliers can ensure that their infant sleep products meet Australia’s safety and information standards, thereby providing safer sleeping environments for infants.
Download the full guide:
Get the complete breakdown of Australia’s mandatory labelling and information requirements for infant sleep and inclined non-sleep products. This SupplyScope guide covers warning labels, safety markings, and what suppliers need to display across packaging and product materials.
