Key Updates to Safe Sleeping Standards

• Mattress Firmness Requirements: The revised standard (AS/NZS 8811.1) expands the range of products subject to firmness testing, ensuring that all infant sleep surfaces are firm enough to prevent suffocation and maintain an infant's airway. AS 5407.1 was published in June 2025.
• CO₂ Mitigation Standard: This revised standard addresses the risks associated with CO₂ buildup in infant sleep products, particularly those marketed as 'breathable.' It sets specific design requirements to minimise CO₂ accumulation. AS 5407.3 was published in May 2026.
• Improved Communication Standard: Enhances labelling, advertising, and educational requirements for sleep products, providing clear guidance on safe usage. To be published later in 2026.

Free access to the standards available online via Standards Australia Reader Room

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers

For further information on safe sleeping, please go to:

• Red Nose Australia: Evidence-based advice on reducing the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.
• INPAA: INPAA is the voice on infant safety and product quality in Australia.
• Rivers Gift: An Australian solely SIDS focused charity, dedicated to funding world leading scientific research, providing safe sleep education, 'Uniting' SIDS families and raising awareness of this devastating syndrome.
• NSW Health Safe Sleeping Recommendations: Guidelines on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.
• ACECQA Safe Sleep and Rest Practices: Legislative requirements and best practices for sleep and rest in childcare settings.

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Get Involved

Parents, caregivers, industry professionals, and stakeholders are encouraged to review all proposed standards and provide feedback. Input of all stakeholders is invaluable in helping to create the safest possible sleep environments for infants.

For more information or to provide feedback contact: sem@standards.org.au

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Who created the set of revised Safe Sleeping Standards?

Participating organisations involved in development of. AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 Methods of testing infant products, Method 1: Sleep surfaces - Test for firmness include:

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