Mandatory safety testing will soon be required for all consumer sand products sold in New Zealand following a series of recalls linked to trace amounts of asbestos.

Under the new Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) notice issued this month, importers and suppliers must prove their products are entirely asbestos-free before listing them for sale.

The regulation, which takes effect on February 1, covers children’s play sand, toys intended for ages under 14, decorative items, and art and craft products containing accessible sand.

The enforcement measure follows safety monitoring that flagged widespread contamination issues across the country. 

Grant McIntosh, principal compliance adviser at the Commerce Commission, emphasised that the rules aim to eliminate hidden health risks before products reach families.

“Parents and caregivers should be able to feel confident that the products they buy for their children are safe,” said McIntosh. “These new testing requirements will help prevent sand products containing asbestos from reaching New Zealand shelves and homes.”

The Commerce Commission and New Zealand Customs will jointly enforce the rules for any product featuring accessible sand, as well as sand embedded in surface coatings that could wear down or be penetrated during normal use.

Suppliers and importers must retain accredited test reports and present them to customs or trade officials upon request. Under the Fair Trading Act 1986, offering, advertising, or selling non-compliant goods remains strictly prohibited.

While the new testing regime creates a pre-market safety net, authorities urge households to check items already in their homes. The Commerce Commission advises consumers to:

• Check the Product Safety New Zealand recall register to see if recent purchases are affected.
• Stop using recalled sand items immediately and remove them from children’s reach.
• Follow specific refund or disposal instructions provided in official recall notices.

The emergency notice will remain in effect for 18 months. 

The grace period leading up to the February 2027 deadline gives businesses time to establish testing protocols with overseas manufacturers and local labs, while the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment evaluates permanent regulatory frameworks to address asbestos risks long-term.

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