Thursday 10th September 2026
Following widespread recalls of children’s play and craft sands contaminated with asbestos, New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has opened consultation on the draft Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026.
The proposal would introduce a much clearer expectation: consumer sand products must be properly tested and verified as asbestos-free before being supplied in New Zealand.
The proposed controls would apply to products containing sand intended for consumer use, including children’s play, sensory and craft products. Testing would need to be undertaken by an appropriately accredited laboratory using the methods specified in the notice.
This matters because an overseas supplier’s declaration stating “asbestos-free” is not evidence of compliance.
If adopted, businesses supplying these products would need to ensure they have:
🔹 identified every product and kit containing sand
🔹 assessed the source and composition of that sand
🔹 obtained representative test results from an appropriately accredited laboratory
🔹 confirmed that the test method meets the requirements of the notice
🔹 linked reports to the actual product, supplier, factory and production batch
🔹 maintained traceability and compliance records
🔹 established processes for production changes and ongoing verification
Importers, retailers and online marketplaces should take particular notice. A colourful tub of sensory sand may appear simple, but its mineral composition cannot be confirmed through packaging claims, appearance or a generic factory declaration.
The proposal follows a major product-safety failure. Asbestos-contaminated sand products were distributed through homes, schools and early-learning environments, resulting in recalls, closures, testing, remediation and understandable concern among families and educators.
Any final notice is proposed to commence three months after it is issued, giving suppliers a limited period to examine existing stock, engage laboratories and strengthen their supplier controls.
This is a sensible regulatory response. Testing after a product has been distributed—or after asbestos has already been discovered—is not an effective product-safety system. Verification needs to happen before supply.
There is also an obvious question for Australia: while Australian border authorities have classified children’s sand-play products as high-risk imports, should Australia introduce equally clear, product-specific and enforceable requirements across the entire supply chain?
Submissions to MBIE close at 5 pm on 30 September 2026.
We welcome this MBIE approach and hope the ACCC follows a similar pathway.
Read the MBIE consultation and draft notice: Consultation on draft Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026 | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment