Consumer sand products
Some consumer products made from or containing sand must meet mandatory asbestos testing requirements under an Unsafe Goods Notice.
What you need to know
The Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026 is effective from 1 February 2027.
The notice prohibits the import and supply of certain toys, decorative, artistic and craft products that contain sand, unless mandatory asbestos testing and documentation requirements have been met.
Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026(external link) – New Zealand Gazette Te Kāhiti o Aotearoa
The unsafe goods notice applies to:
- toys that are sand, or that include or contain sand, if the sand is accessible
- toys that contain sand within a flexible plastic, rubber, silicone, gel, or elastomeric material
- decorative, artistic, or craft products that are sand, or that include or contain sand, if the sand is accessible.
Examples of products that are covered include:
- rangoli products that contain sand
- stretchy sensory products containing sand.
The notice does not apply to:
- sand products formed by natural geological processes that are intended to fill sand pits, playgrounds, or other recreational areas
- board games that do not include or contain accessible sand.
Before you buy a consumer product that contains sand, you could contact the business to request confirmation the product has been tested and that no asbestos has been detected. A proof of testing certificate must be available and meet specified content and timing requirements.
What to do if you have safety concerns
Health New Zealand advises that asbestos is a proven substance that can increase your risk of developing cancer (carcinogen), mainly via breathing in air that contains asbestos fibres.
You can find more information about health risks from asbestos in sand products on the Health New Zealand website.
Asbestos in sand(external link) – Health New Zealand
You can call Healthline free anytime on 0800 611 116 to discuss any health concerns you may have. Healthline can advise if you, a child or a family member needs to see a healthcare professional for review.
Report unsafe products
If you have some concerns about the safety of a product or if you’re injured by a product, you should tell the retailer or supplier about it.
You also have the right to ask for a remedy such as a refund, replacement, or repair under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). One of the guarantees in the CGA is that products must be of acceptable quality, and this includes that the product is safe.
Faulty and unsafe products(external link) – Consumer Protection
In addition, it’s good to report the details to us – product safety reports from the public help government agencies to identify systemic issues and help us to prioritise and respond to issues.