Comment invited on new draft Playground Standards

Standards Australia has announced the release of the draft Playground Standard AS 4685 Parts 1 to 6 for public comment.

The draft, an update on current standards which go back to 2004, is an adoption of the European Standard for Playground Equipment EN 1176:2008 Parts 1 to 6 with some minor deviations that take account of specific Australian safety and design requirements such as higher UV exposure.

Standards Australia Chief Executive Colin Blair explains "the adoption of this standard will allow Australian children to enjoy the health and safety benefits of being able to play in play spaces that are designed, manufactured, and installed to world's best practice."

When adopted this series of standards will allow playground equipment manufacturers in Australian and overseas to trade with reduced barriers.

As a result, Blair adds "Australian children will be able to enjoy and experience a larger and more exciting range of playground equipment.

"(We also) hope that this will encourage more children to spend more time outdoors and exercising."

Developed to provide guidelines for the design, installation, maintenance and operation of playgrounds, Australian Standards for playgrounds are seen are seen as a minimum benchmark for safety although they are not intended to provide totally risk free environments.

Although they are not mandatory unless referenced in legislation or regulation, Australian Standards for Playgrounds should be consulted by anyone planning, designing, building or maintaining a playground.

Public comment and submissions on the draft standard is open until 16th October 2013, with Blair concluding "the public comment process enables stakeholders to participate in the revision of this critical suite of standards for child safety."

For more information about the public comment process visit

http://www.standards.org.au