Compliance Essentials
A plain-English summary of the rules that affect everyday promo work in Australia. You don't need to be an expert, you need to know when to stop and ask.
Golden Rule
If a product is for children, has a battery, or makes an "eco" claim, check before you quote.
Children's Product Safety
- Products for children under 3 must not contain small parts that can be swallowed
- Toys and kids' items must meet Australian mandatory safety standards
- Ask the supplier for test reports or compliance certificates
- Never market an adult product as "suitable for kids" without confirmation
Button Batteries
- Australia has strict mandatory standards for products containing button or coin batteries
- Battery compartments must be secured (usually screwed shut)
- Packaging must carry specific warnings
- Only use suppliers who can confirm the product complies
Lithium Batteries & Shipping
- Power banks, speakers and many tech items contain lithium batteries
- These are classed as dangerous goods for air freight
- They may need special shipping, which adds cost and time
- Always tell the supplier and freight company the product contains lithium batteries
Care Labels
- Clothing sold in Australia must have a permanent care label
- Labels must show washing, drying and ironing instructions
- If relabelling or using custom garments, make sure care information is kept
Greenwashing
- "Eco", "sustainable", "biodegradable" and "recycled" claims must be true and provable
- Ask the supplier for evidence (certificates, recycled content percentage)
- Avoid vague claims like "environmentally friendly" on their own
- Misleading claims can lead to fines for the client
Licensed Logos & Trademarks
- Only print a logo if the client owns it or has written permission to use it
- Sporting teams, celebrities, cartoon characters and brands need a licence
- If a client sends someone else's logo, ask before going further
Warning
When you are unsure about any compliance question, pause the order and escalate to your WorkmodeX manager. It is always better to ask than to guess.
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