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Planning to import or manufacture clothing and textiles for sale in Australia? This guide explains what you must know about Australian product safety requirements, labelling requirements, chemical restrictions, and testing requirements for clothing and other textile products.
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Australian Consumer Law
The Australian Consumer Law requires compliance with safety standards when these exist for a particular product. It is also in these safety standards that you can find product specific requirements for clothing and other textile products.
Examples
Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023
Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) Regulations 1979
These are further expanded upon in this guide.
Product bans
Safety standards are not in place for all products or potential risks. This does not mean that companies can freely sell unsafe products. Instead, the authorities have the power to quickly impose bans on products deemed to be unsafe.
Some bans remain in place, which are also explained in this guide.
The practical implications of this is that you should not only consider mandatory safety standards, but also AS/NZS standards or other voluntary standards that can help you ensure that the goods you sell is as safe as possible.
Textiles labelling
The Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 sets textiles labelling requirements for the following textile products categories:
| Covered products | Exemptions |
| 1. Clothing
2. Household textiles 3. Apparel 4. Wedding dresses and christening gowns 5. Promotional apparel and samples 6. Furnishings 7. Upholstered furniture 8. Beddings 9. Sleeping bags 10. Mattresses 11. Bed bases 12. Textile piece goods and yarns 13. Piece goods and yarns (various materials) |
1. Second hand products
2. All unsupported coats of PVC film, handkerchiefs, braces, garter suspenders, arm bands, belts, headwear 3. Footwear 4. Drapery 5. All ornaments, artificial flowers, sewing and embroidery threads etc 6. All oil baize, window blinds, shade blinds, sun blinds, awnings, floor coverings, light fittings, lampshades etc 7. Jute products 8. Goods intended for medical and surgical 9. Beach and garden umbrella coverings 10. All cords, twines, lashings, garden hose, toys, umbrellas and parasols, shoelaces etc |
You can find more details on the exempted products in selection 7.
Referenced standards
The following standards are referenced in the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023:
- AS/NZS 1957:1998 Textiles – Care labelling
- ISO 3758:2012 Textiles—Care labelling code using symbols
Labelling requirements
The standard requires that care instructions take the following elements into account:
1. Dyes, finishes and fibres
2. Construction and design
3. Garment accessories, such as zippers, buttons, fasteners, padding, lace, beading, trims, decals, linings, interfacings and embroidery
The care label should at least include cleaning instructions, and in some cases also instructions for maintenance.
Specific instructions
Specific care instructions are required for the following:
1. Textiles that require dry cleaning
2. Textiles that cannot be washed or drycleaned
Do we need to specify the textile fibre?
There is no mention of textile fibre compositions (i.e., 100% cotton) in the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023.
Do we need to specify clothing size?
There is no mention of sizes in the standard either.
Children’s clothing
Children’s clothing sold in Australia must meet certain mandatory safety standards, and is also subject to chemical bans.
Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
This standard sets safety requirements for children’s nightwear, including paper patterns for children’s nightwear. That said, it mandates compliance with AS/NZS 1249:2014, which is also where the actual requirements that must be followed can be found.
AS/NZS 1249:2014 – Children’s nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard
The standard sets requirements in the following areas:
1. Flammability
2. Labelling
3. Safety testing
You can access AS/NZS 1249:2014 here.
Compliance process (example)
✅ Read Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
✅ Purchase AS/NZS 1249:2014
✅ Create warning labels according to AS/NZS 1249:2014
✅ Ensure that you procure fabrics and other materials that meet the fire safety requirements of AS/NZS 1249:2014
✅ Ensure that the design/construction meets AS/NZS 1249:2014
✅ Arrange third-party testing to verify compliance with AS/NZS 1249:2014
General safety
While AS/NZS 1249:2014 covers flammability and related requirements, it does not set requirements for all safety aspects that might concern children’s clothing.
As mentioned, the Australian Consumer Law mandates compliance with applicable safety standards when such exist for a particular product. However, mandatory standards do not exist for all types of children’s clothing or associated risks.
To reduce the risk of injury that could result in bans, you may also want to consider implementing voluntary AS/NZS standards.
DEHP ban
DEHP is restricted in certain children’s products. The ban excludes clothing and footwear, but could still be relevant for other textile products for children. Further, you can also opt to test voluntarily according to the set limits.
The risk is particularly high for soft plastics like PVC. DEHP is also one of the most common causes of consumer product recalls.
Chemical Restrictions
The ACCC has issued a guidance document listing recommended substance limits applicable to clothing and other consumer products. It should be noted that these were published as far back as 2014, but we could not find a more recent version.
Group A: Clothing, textiles and leather articles in direct and prolonged contact with the human skin or oral cavity
The document sets the limit to 30 mg/kg for the following substances:
- 4-Aminodiphenyl
- Benzidine
- 4-Chloro-o-Toluidine
- 2-Naphthylamine
- o-Aminoazotoluene
- 2-Amino-4-Nitrotoluene
- p-Chloroaniline
- 2,4-Diaminoanisole
- 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane
- 3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine
- 3,3′-Dimethoxybenzidine
- 3,3′-Dimethylbenzidine
- 3,3′-Dimethyl-4,4’diaminodiphenylmethane
- p-Cresidine
- 4,4′-Methylene-Bis(2-Chloroaniline)
- 4,4′-Oxydianiline
- 4,4′-Thiodianiline
- o-Toluidine
- 2,4-Toluylenediamine
- 2,4,5-Trimethylaniline
- o-Anisidine
- p-Aminoazobenzene
Group B: Clothing and textiles and clothing finishes
The following formaldehyde limits apply:
| Product | Limit |
| Baby clothing | 30 mg/kg |
| Clothing for individuals with sensitive skin | 30 mg/kg |
| Clothing which contact with the skin | 100 mg/kg |
| Other clothing or fabrics | 300 mg/kg |
Group C: Leather and textile articles, including clothing in direct contact with the human skin
2-Butenedioic acid, (E)-, dimethyl ester (624-49-7) is limited to 0.1 mg/kg.
Compliance process (example)
✅ Determine which substance limits apply to your clothing products
✅ Contact a testing company to request a quotation
✅ Submit product or material samples for testing
✅ Obtain a test report to verify compliance
AS/NZS standards for clothing and textiles
As mentioned, it can be a good idea to implement voluntary standards to reduce the risk of safety issues or other complications. Below follow examples of additional AS/NZS for clothing and textile products not previously mentioned in this guide.
Fibre contents labelling
AS/NZS 2622:1996 – Textile products – Fibre content labelling
Size
AS 1182-1997 Amd 2:2019 – Size coding scheme for infants’ and children’s clothing – Underwear and outerwear
AS 1182-1997 REC:2020 – Size coding scheme for infants’ and children’s clothing – Underwear and outerwear
AS 1182-1997 AMDT 1 – Size coding scheme for infants’ and children’s clothing – Underwear and outerwear
Protective clothing
AS/NZS 4399:2020 – Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification
AS/NZS 4501.1:2008 – Occupational protective clothing, Part 1: Guidelines on the selection, use, care and maintenance of protective clothing
AS 4602.1:2024 – High visibility safety garments, Part 1: Garments for high risk applications
AS/NZS ISO 13506.1:2025 – Protective clothing against heat and flame, Part 1: Test method for complete garments – Measurement of transferred energy using an instrumented manikin
AS/NZS ISO 13506.2:2025 – Protective clothing against heat and flame, Part 2: Skin burn injury prediction – Calculation requirements and test cases
AS/NZS ISO 11611:2025 – Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes
FAQ
Is textile care labelling required in Australia?
Yes, textile care labelling is mandatory under the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 for clothing and other textile products.
Is it mandatory to specify the size for clothing sold in Australia?
We could not find any regulation mandating that sizing is included in the label. That said, the Australian Consumer Law prohibits false or misleading information. In practice, it would likely be problematic to supply clothing without sizing specified on the label.
Is it mandatory to specify the fibre composition for clothing sold in Australia?
We could not find any regulation mandating the inclusion of the fibre composition, such as 100% cotton or 100% polyester. As mentioned, deceptive claims and label information is prohibited. Further, the fibre composition is expected by most consumers.
Do the same requirements apply to clothing and textiles sold in New Zealand?
No, different compliance requirements apply to clothing and other textile products sold in New Zealand. That being said, AS/NZS standards are also relevant in New Zealand.
Is there a standard in Australia around sewing household furnishing products with cats around? I make my own yoga bolster range (so really it would probably fit under home furnishings) and the covers are being cut and sewn in a house that has cats. The sewer is minimising contact but there may still be traces of cat hair etc?
I own a small business specializing in linen clothing, and my manufacturer is located in Bali. They also handle the labeling for me. What certifications would you recommend for labeling my products here in Australia?
G’day folks,
I’m concerned about the safety of clothing being purchased from sites such as Ali-express, Temu etc. I’m seeing a lot of clothing for children being given as gifts or just purchased by parents trying to save a few extra dollars.
I’m assuming as the clothes aren’t being imported by registered Australian importers they are not being monitored or tested randomly by the ACCC and as such could be potentially harmful perhaps even deadly with prolonged exposure.
Is there any organisation or government body currently responsible to ensure these products are safe or at least to inform Australian consumers of the risks if any?
Any information regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated as the very thought that the pretty little dress or nightie worn by my Granddaughter, could be killing her, frankly terrifies me.
Regards,
Adam
Hi, I want to import pre-owned clothing from other countries to sell it in Australia. Is it possible to sell it in Australia? The condition of the clothes is 8+/10 and I also wash and cleaning before importing to Aus
not a shop – customer noticing widespread difference. i thought womens underwear had to have a cotton liner for hygiene reasons. several brands available locally do not have cotton gusset, and i can’t find the regulations, so is it only a recommendation?
Hi there
I’m looking at selling handmade clothing constructed from vintage bed sheets and fabric. Do I need to attach a permanent care label to the actual garment? Thanks.
Niamh
Can spare button cover the care instruction on care label?
Hi David,
Labels need to be easy to find and read. Doing so would probably be risky.
Hello. My question is ; When you sell underwear in Australia do the panties have to have the transparent hygiene label care tape?
Hi, I’m trying to find out if imported GOTS certified clothing is sprayed with biocides or Pesticides prior to entering Australia despite being exempt from certain harmful chemicals. Is this mandatory at customs?
I suggest you contact Product Safety Australia: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/contact-us/for-consumers/make-an-enquiry
We’re you able to get an answer to this? Thanks
A lot of it is I believe. But I know that there is a Victorian based business who’s products are never exposed to any such chemicals, in any country, at any point during the manufacturing process.
Here is link:
https://organature.com/product-category/clothing/
Hi
manufacturing outdoor shirts importing from china – i have been assured they are UPF50+ but do not have the accredited Aus/NZ certificate – can i note on garment UPF50+?
Hi , I am a designer from Australia currently in the process of developing a range of knitwear in Peru. Can I ship production garments from Peru to Australia without any garment labels.
Labels would be attached in Australia prior to sale? I appreciate your help. Thank you. Shirley.
Hi Shirley,
That is normally okay in most countries but I am not sure if this is accepted in Australia.
Why do you intend to label the products in Australia and not in Peru?
hi
are their standards for how a garment is manufactured in Australia. how the seams are assembled etc
thanks
lisa
Hi Lisa,
You can find that here: https://www.standards.org.au/