New Zealand Sets February Start For Consumer Sand Testing

New Zealand has issued the Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026, with requirements starting on 1 February 2027. Published on 23 October, the notice declares specified sand products unsafe unless testing and documentation requirements are met. It affects importers, manufacturers and suppliers of covered toys and craft goods. Official notice.

Products Covered And Excluded

The notice covers toys for children under 14 that contain accessible sand, or sand within flexible plastic, rubber, silicone, gel or elastomeric material. It also covers decorative, craft and artistic goods containing sand that consumers can touch during ordinary use. Clauses 3–4.

Naturally formed sand intended for sandpits, playgrounds or other recreational areas is excluded. So are board games without accessible sand. The definition of sand includes processed mineral granules but excludes silica gel. Clauses 3–4.

Testing And Documentation

Sand from at least three separate units of each product and, where applicable, each variant must be tested. The notice specifies electron-microscopy methods and permits ISO 22262-2:2026, ISO 22262-2:2014 or ISO 22262-1:2012. The laboratory must hold the required ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, with the method within its scope. Clause 6.

The documentation must identify the product or variant, laboratory, method, standard and testing date, and report that no asbestos was detected. It must be dated no more than 12 months before importation or New Zealand manufacture. Clause 7.

Commencement And Enforcement

The notice was made on 19 October and published on 23 October 2026. Its commencement is 1 February 2027; the Gazette records an end date of 23 April 2028. The accompanying enforcement notes explain that unsafe goods cannot be imported, supplied, offered or advertised for supply, and that Customs or the Commerce Commission may require compliance evidence. Notice and explanatory material.