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Protecting Our Little Ones: Safety Standards to Save Babies’ Lives
Statements
Standards Australia is publishing a revised set of product safety standards to clarify and strengthen mattress firmness requirements, address CO₂ risks and improve sleep safety communication about Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
The world-first safety standards in Australia aim to help parents reduce infant mortality rates due to SUDI and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Developed by a coalition of the country’s leading experts in infant sleep safety, this is the most significant advancement in sleep product safety guidelines in over ten years. Focusing on more rigorous and expanded product testing, simplified communication and advice on which products are safe, or not – the revised set of standards aim to help both parents and product designers and complement the already excellent work on safe sleeping education.
The proposed suite of product safety standards will help better protect infants, empower parents as well as better regulate the sale of unsafe products. A mattress firmness standard goes live today, and Standards Australia will release further updates later in 2025.
Organisations joining Standards Australia on the standard development process include the Infant and Nursery Products Alliance of Australia (INPAA), River’s Gift, Red Nose Australia, Kidsafe Australia, industry bodies, retailers and manufacturers.
Life-Saving Focus on Product Safety
The updated standards directly address critical safety issues that can put babies at risk:
AS 5407.1 and AS 5407.2 - Enhanced Firmness (published 27 June 2025): Australia was the first country to introduce a mattress firmness standard in 2013, recognising that overly soft surfaces like pillows, mattresses, and adult beds are a risk factor for SUDI.
The revised standard includes an enhanced firmness testing process and significantly expands the range of products that must undergo firmness testing in order to conform with standards. These now include baby loungers and comforters, which were not covered previously.
A firm sleep surface is crucial as it helps maintain an infant's airway by reducing suffocation risks or rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide. It also prevents babies from sinking into the surface, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Many products that are currently available fail to meet these now stricter firmness requirements.
AS 5407.3 - Breathability Testing (to be published late 2025): Carbon dioxide buildup is widely believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. This standard will establish a methodology to measure CO2 and improve product design requirements which will result in reduced CO2 accumulation or ‘reservoirs’ in infant sleep products.
The standard addresses products marketed as "breathable" that can potentially trap carbon dioxide. If products trap exhaled air around the infant's face, it has potential to create a hazardous sleep environment.
Product Safety Communication (to be published early 2026): This world leading standard strives to enhance labelling, advertising, and educational requirements for all infant sleep products, going beyond standard warnings and regulations by providing explicit guidance. Current product information may be confusing for parents and carers who can be presented with conflicting product advice.
The standard’s scope extends to how products are advertised. Advertising and social media imagery can misrepresent a safe sleeping environment with the inclusion of soft pillows, toys and blankets. Brands should ensure sleep safety is communicated more clearly.
The suite of product safety standards will complement existing and recognised advice on creating a safe sleep environment. These include placing a baby on its back, ensuring its airways are clear and not obstructed, sleeping a baby in a safe cot in parents’ room for the first 6 to 12 months, and keeping babies free from smoke.
Kareen Riley-Takos, Chief of Engagement, Standards and International Relations at Standards Australia said, “Every parent wants to keep their baby safe, especially during sleep. Yet families face a maze of conflicting information sleep safety information that can leave them confused and worried.”
“The aim of this revised set of standards is to empower parents in the best possible way and contribute to a decline in SUDI cases. With Red Nose, River’s Gift, Kidsafe, industry, regulators and Standards Australia coming together we have created a clear set of safety standards that inform a concise and consistent set of messages related to infant sleeping. Ultimately, we want parents to be more empowered and less confused.”
Kellee Eriksson, INPAA Safety Ambassador, Founder of Little Human Linens, and Emergency Nurse said, “Understanding and communicating product safety has been a genuine challenge for parents. Up until now there has been a huge disconnect between safe sleeping education and practically applying that knowledge when choosing products. This is a big step forward and parents will be much better equipped to ask questions of retailers and be more confident in making the right choice for their baby.”
Alex Hamilton, Co-Founder of River’s Gift and bereaved mum of River (aged 4 months) said, “Parents are constantly trying to make the safest choices for their babies, but it can be overwhelming. These standards take away some of that uncertainty. They give parents clearer, more consistent guidance and confidence that the products they’re using meet strict safety standards. Just as importantly, they help prevent unsafe products from reaching families in the first place. When we’re talking about protecting babies’ lives, that kind of clarity and accountability is absolutely crucial.”
Free, non-commercial access to these standards for personal, domestic, or household use is available via our Reader Room.
🔗 More information on all three standards is now available at our Safe Sleeping page.
Parents, caregivers, industry professionals, and stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide feedback. Once published, these standards are available for regulators to consider adopting the recommendations and ensure widespread compliance and safety.
Additional information on infant sleep safety for parents is available at River’s Gift: Dedicated to SIDS research, education and ongoing family support following the loss of a child to SIDS.
Standards Australia is publishing a revised set of product safety standards to clarify and strengthen mattress firmness requirements, address CO₂ risks and improve sleep safety communication about Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
The world-first safety standards in Australia aim to help parents reduce infant mortality rates due to SUDI and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Developed by a coalition of the country’s leading experts in infant sleep safety, this is the most significant advancement in sleep product safety guidelines in over ten years. Focusing on more rigorous and expanded product testing, simplified communication and advice on which products are safe, or not – the revised set of standards aim to help both parents and product designers and complement the already excellent work on safe sleeping education.
The proposed suite of product safety standards will help better protect infants, empower parents as well as better regulate the sale of unsafe products. A mattress firmness standard goes live today, and Standards Australia will release further updates later in 2025.
Organisations joining Standards Australia on the standard development process include the Infant and Nursery Products Alliance of Australia (INPAA), River’s Gift, Red Nose Australia, Kidsafe Australia, industry bodies, retailers and manufacturers.
Life-Saving Focus on Product Safety
The updated standards directly address critical safety issues that can put babies at risk:
AS 5407.1 and AS 5407.2 - Enhanced Firmness (published 27 June 2025): Australia was the first country to introduce a mattress firmness standard in 2013, recognising that overly soft surfaces like pillows, mattresses, and adult beds are a risk factor for SUDI.
The revised standard includes an enhanced firmness testing process and significantly expands the range of products that must undergo firmness testing in order to conform with standards. These now include baby loungers and comforters, which were not covered previously.
A firm sleep surface is crucial as it helps maintain an infant's airway by reducing suffocation risks or rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide. It also prevents babies from sinking into the surface, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Many products that are currently available fail to meet these now stricter firmness requirements.
AS 5407.3 - Breathability Testing (to be published late 2025): Carbon dioxide buildup is widely believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. This standard will establish a methodology to measure CO2 and improve product design requirements which will result in reduced CO2 accumulation or ‘reservoirs’ in infant sleep products.
The standard addresses products marketed as "breathable" that can potentially trap carbon dioxide. If products trap exhaled air around the infant's face, it has potential to create a hazardous sleep environment.
Product Safety Communication (to be published early 2026): This world leading standard strives to enhance labelling, advertising, and educational requirements for all infant sleep products, going beyond standard warnings and regulations by providing explicit guidance. Current product information may be confusing for parents and carers who can be presented with conflicting product advice.
The standard’s scope extends to how products are advertised. Advertising and social media imagery can misrepresent a safe sleeping environment with the inclusion of soft pillows, toys and blankets. Brands should ensure sleep safety is communicated more clearly.
The suite of product safety standards will complement existing and recognised advice on creating a safe sleep environment. These include placing a baby on its back, ensuring its airways are clear and not obstructed, sleeping a baby in a safe cot in parents’ room for the first 6 to 12 months, and keeping babies free from smoke.
Kareen Riley-Takos, Chief of Engagement, Standards and International Relations at Standards Australia said, “Every parent wants to keep their baby safe, especially during sleep. Yet families face a maze of conflicting information sleep safety information that can leave them confused and worried.”
“The aim of this revised set of standards is to empower parents in the best possible way and contribute to a decline in SUDI cases. With Red Nose, River’s Gift, Kidsafe, industry, regulators and Standards Australia coming together we have created a clear set of safety standards that inform a concise and consistent set of messages related to infant sleeping. Ultimately, we want parents to be more empowered and less confused.”
Kellee Eriksson, INPAA Safety Ambassador, Founder of Little Human Linens, and Emergency Nurse said, “Understanding and communicating product safety has been a genuine challenge for parents. Up until now there has been a huge disconnect between safe sleeping education and practically applying that knowledge when choosing products. This is a big step forward and parents will be much better equipped to ask questions of retailers and be more confident in making the right choice for their baby.”
Alex Hamilton, Co-Founder of River’s Gift and bereaved mum of River (aged 4 months) said, “Parents are constantly trying to make the safest choices for their babies, but it can be overwhelming. These standards take away some of that uncertainty. They give parents clearer, more consistent guidance and confidence that the products they’re using meet strict safety standards. Just as importantly, they help prevent unsafe products from reaching families in the first place. When we’re talking about protecting babies’ lives, that kind of clarity and accountability is absolutely crucial.”
Free, non-commercial access to these standards for personal, domestic, or household use is available via our Reader Room.
🔗 More information on all three standards is now available at our Safe Sleeping page.
Parents, caregivers, industry professionals, and stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide feedback. Once published, these standards are available for regulators to consider adopting the recommendations and ensure widespread compliance and safety.
Additional information on infant sleep safety for parents is available at River’s Gift: Dedicated to SIDS research, education and ongoing family support following the loss of a child to SIDS.
