The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its product safety priorities for 2025–26, with unsafe products in online marketplaces identified as a major focus.
The ACCC has set out five priority areas for the year ahead. At the forefront is reducing the prevalence of unsafe consumer products in the digital economy. The regulator has noted that risks in online markets are multifaceted, spanning physical harm from unsafe goods, economic harm to consumers, and broader impacts on trust in digital commerce. Auctioneers and businesses advertising goods online are urged to remain mindful of the ACCC’s growing focus on product safety in digital marketplaces, ensuring that products meet compliance standards and do not expose consumers to harm.
In addition to unsafe products online, the ACCC will continue to prioritise safety issues impacting young children. Areas of focus include button batteries, unsafe infant sleep products, and toppling furniture. The Commission will also monitor compliance with existing standards and raise awareness to ensure that requirements are not only in place but also understood and enforced.
For more information on the ACCC’s product safety priorities visit the link below:
The safe use of lithium-ion batteries remains another key priority, reflecting their widespread use in consumer goods ranging from mobile devices and e-bikes to home solar systems. The ACCC has highlighted the importance of raising awareness around safe purchase, storage, use and disposal, while monitoring recalls of unsafe battery products.
From July 2025, the ACCC started talking a series of expedited reviews of existing mandatory standards. These reviews will consider whether international standards can be recognised as compliance options, ensuring Australian requirements remain up to date and helping reduce compliance costs for businesses.
Finally, the ACCC will continue to improve the collection and use of product safety data. This includes encouraging greater reporting of incidents, sharing data across regulators, and consulting stakeholders to better understand emerging risks.
The ACCC’s priorities for 2025–26 reflect the challenges of a fast-evolving marketplace. By focusing on unsafe online products, child safety, lithium-ion batteries, mandatory standards, and product safety data, the Commission aims to protect consumers while reinforcing trust in competitive markets.
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