Review of the mandatory safety standard for moveable soccer goals

Overview

The ACCC invites you to have your say on the issues and policy options in the consultation paper for the review of the mandatory safety standard for moveable soccer goals. The issues in this paper have been briefly summarised below, please refer to the document for further details.

The ACCC prefers submissions to be provided via the ACCC consultation hub.

Alternatively, interested parties can email submissions to: productsafety.regulation@accc.gov.au.

Submissions can also be made via post to:

Director
Standards & Policy
Consumer Product Safety Branch
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
GPO Box 3131
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Submissions will be published on the ACCC website at the end of the consultation period.

Please note any information that you believe to be of a confidential nature should be clearly marked or identified as confidential. The ACCC will not disclose the confidential information to third parties, other than advisors or consultants engaged directly by the ACCC, without first providing you with notice of its intention to do so, such as where it is compelled to do so by law.

Why your views matter

The ACCC is reviewing the mandatory safety standard for moveable soccer goals because it has not been reviewed since it started in 2010, and we are seeking information on whether it has been effective in reducing deaths and injuries.

Background

A mandatory safety standard for moveable soccer goals was first introduced in 2007 by New South Wales in response to deaths and injuries associated with the products in Australia and overseas. As part of the harmonisation of state and territory consumer product safety regulation in preparation for the Australian Consumer Law, the Australian Government created a national mandatory safety standard in 2010.

The mandatory safety standard is set out in Consumer Protection Notice No. 28 of 2010 and commenced on 1 January 2011. It is based on a voluntary Australian standard AS 4866.1-2007 - Playing field equipment - Soccer goals - Safety aspects. It applies to moveable soccer goals that are free standing, designed to be moved for use in various locations, and weighing 28 kg or above.

The mandatory safety standard specifies design and construction requirements including requiring moveable soccer goals to have at least one ‘anchor’ point at each side of the rear ground bar; performance testing including a stability test and a static load test; and specifies a consumer warning label.

Policy options

The ACCC is considering the following policy options for dealing with the current mandatory safety standard:

The ACCC’s preliminary position is to maintain the status quo. A detailed discussion of the options is in the consultation paper.

Your submissions to this consultation will help us refine the estimated costs, benefits and safety outcomes for each option, and to recommend the most appropriate option to the Minister.