Independent Review – Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
On 10 October 2019, the Assistant Treasurer made a mandatory safety standard to apply to new and imported second-hand motorised quad bikes (also known as all-terrain vehicles or ATVs), the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019.
The safety standard is intended to reduce the high risk of fatality and injury associated with the use of quad bikes. There were at least 128 fatalities during 2011–2018 and it is estimated that six people present to an emergency department each day due to quad bike-related injuries. All targeted quad bikes will be required to meet certain requirements of the United States or European standards, include a warning label and information, and display the results of stability tests. In addition, general use quad bikes will be required to have an operator protection device integrated into the design or fitted and meet minimum requirements for stability. The standard is expected to significantly reduce the likelihood of death or injury, but it is acknowledged there is likely to be an impact on consumer choice through reduced model availability or functionality, and the cost of quad bikes is likely to increase.
Consistent with the Government’s Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) requirements, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) certified that the Quad bike safety: Final Recommendation to the Minister report undertook a process and analysis equivalent to a RIS. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not assess the quality of independent reviews and RIS-like documents used in lieu of a RIS.
The ACCC estimates the average annual regulatory costs at $3.2 million. The OBPR has agreed the cost estimate.
The ACCC released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on 22 March 2018, inviting stakeholder feedback on policy options to improve the safety of quad bikes.
Please note: the Quad bike safety report is web accessible in PDF only and any accessibility queries should be directed to the ACCC.