Consultation open on unsafe goods notice for consumer sand products

Since November 2025, multiple play, hobby and decorative products containing sand were found to include traces of asbestos. Since then, Government agencies have worked closely with businesses to support the recall of affected products and provide information to consumers. As of September 2026, there have been 23 recalls, totalling approximately 46,000 units.

To prevent more products containing asbestos ending up on our shelves, the Government has proposed an unsafe goods notice. The draft notice, released today, would require mandatory pre-sale testing of all toys containing sand, and decorative, art and craft products containing accessible sand. It would apply to toys whether the sand is accessible or sealed inside the toy, to address potential exposure through broken or misused products.

MBIE is seeking feedback on the draft notice including the types of products that would be covered and the proposed testing requirements and standards. Feedback is due by 5pm on 25 September. Visit the consultation page for information about how to have your say and to read the draft notice and discussion document.

Consultation on draft Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026

At the same time, MBIE is also exploring other options to address risks from asbestos in consumer products in the longer term.

For anyone who has purchased sand products, MBIE recommends checking whether these products have been recalled and following the advice in the recall notice. The most up-to-date list of recalled sand products is available on the Product Safety website.

Recalled products(external link) — Product Safety New Zealand

Read the Government’s press release:

Stronger safety measures for children’s sand products(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz