Citation

Gibson T. J. Australas. Coll. Road Saf. 2009; 20(4): 19-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Australasian College of Road Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Recent changes to the Australian standard setting and certification system threaten to undermine consumer confidence and certainty in safety products such as helmets and child restraints. In the past, two separate systems have assured the quality of safety equipment used on the road. One system for motor vehicles and another for other road safety equipment not integrated with a motor vehicle (child restraints, bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets).

However since 2002 Standards Australia has been undergoing major change. The new Standards Australia is tasked with developing standards which are balanced, transparent and free of sectional interest, but must now operate as a not-for-profit commercial enterprise without government subsidy. The development of standards is expected to be funded by stakeholders driven by public benefit and national interest, not driven by sales. SAIGlobal was the certification arm of Standards Australia. It has lost its control of the certification of products to the Australian standards. This is of particular concern in relation to road safety equipment such as helmets and child restraints, because responsibility for these products falls between a number of State and Federal agencies.