Sand-related toys will need to tested for asbestos before being sold in New Zealand

Any toys containing sand will soon require testing to prove they are asbestos-free before they can be sold in New Zealand.

It follows a recall on Kmart coloured sand products from November last year, after it was discovered they contained asbestos.

In a statement, the Commerce Commission said it - alongside New Zealand Customs - would enforce the new safety check as part of an Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice from 1 February 2027.

The commission's principal compliance adviser Grant McIntosh said the new rules were designed to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure from products containing sand.

"Parents and caregivers should be able to feel confident that the products they buy for their children are safe. These new testing requirements will help prevent sand products containing asbestos from reaching New Zealand shelves and homes."

The new rules only cover certain sand products - but all toys for children under the age of 14.

As of October 2026, the commission said 23 products have been recalled after finding traces of asbestos - affecting more than 45,000 items. News first broke of the situation in November 2025.

It said the testing requirements would apply to:

• toys and other consumer products containing accessible sand;
• or sand within a coating that can be penetrated during normal use
• decorative, art and craft products containing accessible sand.

The commission said asbestos cannot be identified without testing - "making it hard for consumers to know whether a product poses a risk simply by looking at it".

Anyone who has purchased sand-related products is advised to

• check whether the product has been recalled;
• stop using recalled products immediately;
• follow the instructions provided in the recall notice;
• keep up to date with product safety alerts and recalls.