ACCC Infant Sleep Safety Standards 2026: What Parents Need to Know
The ACCC's new mandatory infant sleep safety standards, which came into full effect on January 19, 2026, represent a significant update to baby product regulations in Australia.
Here's what every parent and caregiver needs to know about these critical changes.
Why were these new standards introduced?
Prior to 2024, mandatory safety standards only applied to household cots and folding cots (cribs for our North American friends), leaving many other infant sleep products unregulated. Other products, such as bassinets, baby loungers and bouncers, were being sold as sleep products but did not have to adhere to any manufacturing or marketing standards. These new mandatory standards bring all infant sleep products under the single set of guidelines.
In response to infant deaths in Australia linked to unsafe baby sleep products between 2001 and 2022, the ACCC released new mandatory standards for infant sleep products. Manufacturers and retailers had until January 19th, 2026 to be compliant.
As a result, products that can be purchased in stores are safer and carry clearer messaging to help consumers make good, safe decisions for their baby's sleep.
What is considered a baby sleep product?
While previously only household cots were included, now there is a larger range of products included under the infant sleep product standards.
Under the new ACCC regulations, the following products are classified as infant sleep products and must meet mandatory safety standards:
bassinets
cradles
co-sleepers (these attach to the side of a bed but, the baby does not share a mattress with a parent)
inclined sleepers (incline up to 7 degrees maximum)
household cots
portable folding cots
These products are created and directly marketed for sleep and therefore must abide by the ACCC infant sleep product mandatory standards. These are the only products that retailers are legally allowed to market for sleep.
Other products like baby loungers, rockers and swings are only allowed to be marketed as products to use for play or to entertain a baby under the watchful eye of an adult. This is an important distinction as previously these products often displayed images of a sleeping baby, which of course leads to confusion for parents.
How to choose safe baby sleep products.
When shopping for a safe baby sleep product, consider the following:
The sleep surface must be flat and firm
If it swings or moves, it must not tilt to an angle greater than 7 degrees.
Sides must be made of a breathable material and firm enough not to cover the infant's face
Gaps in the sides must not allow a baby to get its head/neck trapped
The product must not have a harness, restraint, or strap that keeps the baby in one position
If it has wheels, ensure there is a locking mechanism on two of the wheels.
Look for something that is marketed for sleep and has the appropriate safety information provided on labels
Most importantly, if in doubt, give it a miss and move on to something you feel confident is safe for your baby to sleep in.
What to do if you have a product that no longer meets safety standards?
You should stop using that product immediately. If the product was bought before the new baby sleep product standards were mandatory, you may not be eligible for a refund.
But if you were able to purchase the product after January 19th, 2026 then you are entitled to a refund and should contact the manufacturer. You should also report an unsafe product to the ACCC.
It is also important that you do not pass on that product to someone else or resell it secondhand. Instead, dispose of the item with your household garbage.