Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC has published a recall notice over children’s sand products that may contain asbestos and were sold at various retailers including Officeworks.
The recall was issued by supplier Educational Colours for colourful children’s sand products sold at Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art that may contain asbestos.
The sand is brightly coloured and designed for children to play with and for educational purposes and, as set out in the recall, is labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg).
The products were recalled because they may contain tremolite asbestos, a naturally occurring asbestos, which was detected in some samples after laboratory testing. Asbestos is a prohibited substance in Australia.
The products were sold throughout Australian between 2020 and 2025.
“We have engaged with Officeworks who is a major supplier of these products and they advised that the products have been removed from sale. We expect they will take all the necessary steps to alert their customers,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We continue to engage with suppliers and expect all to provide appropriate support to consumers including responding to queries, and providing advice about arranging a refund.”
“We urge customers who own any of the products to stop using them immediately and place the sand in a heavy-duty plastic bag and double tape it securely and keep it out of reach of children,” Ms Lowe said.
“When doing so, in an abundance of caution, customers should take precautions such as a wearing disposable gloves and a mask.”
The ACCC will continue to monitor developments in relation to the products and the recall notice may be updated as new information emerges.
Customers are urged not to dispose of the product in general waste.
Information on the disposal of Asbestos waste, including disposal facilities in your state or territory can be found on The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website.
Contact recalls@educationalvantage.com on disposal and for seeking a full refund.
A voluntary recall was issued today in New Zealand regarding the same products.
Images of products
Background
If a supplier finds that a product they supply is unsafe, the ACCC expects the supplier to follow our guidelines and recall the product remove it from the market.
Importing or exporting asbestos or goods containing asbestos is prohibited under Australian law, except in very limited circumstances where permission to import and/or export can be granted. More information can be found on the ABF website.
Work Health and Environment laws in all states and territories prohibit the unauthorised supply, transport, use (including manufacturing), or handling of asbestos and require that any materials containing asbestos must be disposed of at licensed facilities. There may be costs associated with disposal.