New Zealand to mandate asbestos testing for sand-containing toys from February 2027

Summary

All sand-containing toys will soon require asbestos-free certification before sale in New Zealand, RNZ reported on 27 October. The move follows last November's recall of Kmart coloured sand products found to contain asbestos. The Commerce Commission said it will work with New Zealand Customs to enforce the new safety check under the Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice, effective 1 February 2027.

Commission principal compliance adviser McIntosh said the rule aims to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure from sand-containing products. It covers only certain sand products but includes all toys for children under 14. The Commission said that as of October 2026, 23 products had been recalled after asbestos traces were found, affecting more than 45,000 items.

The issue was first reported in November 2025. The testing requirement will apply to toys and other consumer products containing accessible sand; sand within coatings that can be penetrated during normal use; and decorative, art and craft products containing accessible sand. Anyone who has purchased sand-related products is advised to check whether the product has been recalled, stop using recalled products immediately, follow the instructions in the recall notice, and stay informed about product safety alerts and recalls.

Commentary

The New Zealand Commerce Commission and Customs have jointly issued new rules requiring all sand-containing toys and children's products to be asbestos-tested before sale from February 2027. The move follows the recall of Kmart's coloured sand products for asbestos contamination, with 23 products and more than 45,000 items affected so far, exposing the hidden nature of asbestos contamination in supply chains. Asbestos often originates from natural sand deposits or mixed recycled materials.

With China and Southeast Asia the main production bases in the global toy supply chain, local New Zealand small and medium-sized importers and retailers face rising compliance costs and pressure to scrutinise supply sources. The new rules require testing to cover accessible sand, sand within coatings and handmade decorative items, meaning businesses need to establish supplier traceability systems or turn to accredited laboratory testing, with a single test costing several hundred to over a thousand New Zealand dollars, posing a cash flow challenge for small importers. On the other hand, the policy may accelerate industry consolidation, with compliant companies able to seize market gaps, especially local brands focused on safety and environmental friendliness.

New Zealand's toy market is worth about NZ$300 million annually, with imports accounting for over 80 percent, and China the largest source. NZ SMEs are advised to immediately check inventories of sand-based products, contact suppliers for asbestos test reports, and monitor the Commerce Commission's subsequent list of accredited laboratories to avoid goods being held at Customs once the new rules take effect in 2027.

Keywords: sand-containing toys, asbestos testing, New Zealand Commerce Commission, product recall, Unsafe Goods Notice, children's toys, Kmart coloured sand, 1 February 2027

Photo by Uran Wang on Unsplash

Source: Economic and Commercial Office of the Ministry of Commerce in New Zealand