Information standards for products and services
Goods and services sold in Australia must comply with the relevant information standards which regulates the type and amount of information provided and how that information is presented.
Information standards:
- regulate the type and amount of information provided to consumers about goods and services
- guide how the information is presented on product packaging and labels.
All goods and services sold by businesses in Australia must comply with the relevant information standards.
Failing to comply with information standards is against the law.
Mandatory information standards in Australia
Some of the products that the Australian Consumer Law mandatory information standards apply to include:
- button and coin batteries
- free range egg labelling
- care labelling for clothing and textile products with appropriate instructions to help consumers care for the item
- ingredient labelling of cosmetics and toiletries to help consumers compare products, identify ingredients and avoid adverse reactions
- tobacco labelling with required health warnings including graphic images, warning and explanatory messages and other information.
Australian governments can also regulate consumer goods or product-related services through mandatory safety standards.
You can find the full list of mandatory standards by visiting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission product safety website.
Additional mandatory information standards in NSW
Under the Fair Trading Act 1987, information standards can be made for goods and services that only apply in NSW.
These are in addition to any standards under Australian Consumer Law. A maximum penalty of 50 penalty units applies for non-compliance.
Current NSW-only information standards include:
Penalties
The maximum penalty for each offence is $2.5 million for an individual.
Body corporates can be charged whichever is greater:
- $50 million
- 3 times the value of the benefit received, or
- 30% of annual turnover in the preceding year (if the court cannot determine the benefit obtained from the offence).
Making a complaint
When making a complaint, you should include:
- details of the issues you are experiencing
- copies of any correspondence that shows how you have tried to resolve the matter.
How NSW Fair Trading will handle your complaint
Your complaint will be reviewed to determine the most appropriate resolution. This may include:
- providing you with information to help resolve your complaint
- recording the complaint issues to assist in future compliance programs, or
- contacting the other party to try and resolve the dispute.
You can lodge a complaint:
Online
If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.
By mail
Post your complaint form and documentation to:
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
Ask a question
If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry.