Modern toy safety settings to protect children

Currently, toys sold in New Zealand for children in this age group must comply with the 2002 version of an Australia/New Zealand joint standard. This requires that toys meet certain safety measures to minimise airway and choking hazards. This standard is outdated, with the latest version being made in 2023, and our regulations lag behind those in Australia.

This regulatory difference has created challenges for toy suppliers and unnecessary compliance costs. New Zealanders may also be missing out on a wider range of products because we do not recognise any similar international standards.

Under these changes, 3 toy safety standards will be recognised in New Zealand:

• The updated 2023 version of the Australia/New Zealand joint standard
• A European standard
• A United States standard

The European and American standards provide a comparable level of safety to the Australia/New Zealand joint standard. Recognising these standards will not reduce the level of safety of toys entering New Zealand. Once in place, toys that comply with any of these standards can be sold in New Zealand.

As a next step, regulations will be drafted under the Fair Trading Act. An exposure draft of the regulations will be released for public consultation in due course.

Read the Government's press release:

Common-sense fix eases costs for toy importers(external link) - Beehive.govt.nz