Australian regulators tightened product safety rules across multiple sectors in 2025, even as overall recall and market action numbers edged lower for the year, according to Sedgwick’s latest Australian Product Safety and Recall Index.
Sedgwick’s latest report recorded 1,247 market actions in 2025, down from 1,288 in 2024. However, the second half of the year saw more activity, with 654 actions recorded between July and December. That increase was seen across all five sectors tracked in the report: automotive, consumer products, food and drink, medical device, and pharmaceutical.
“While overall recall activity eased in 2025, Australian regulators remain sharply focused on product safety and enforcement,” said Mark Buckingham, global director of recall solutions with Sedgwick.
“Businesses must remain agile as regulatory reforms demand greater transparency, stricter safety standards, and increased obligations for manufacturers and distributors. In this dynamic landscape, clear communications with regulators and supply chain partners, along with robust recall strategies, is essential to respond swiftly to emerging market crises.”
Pharmaceuticals recorded the largest jump, with market actions rising 70% to 68 in the second half. Food and drink recalls also went up by 36.4%, from 33 to 45, marking one of the highest half-year totals in recent years.
For the full year, results were mixed. Automotive, food and drink, and medical devices all saw fewer events compared to 2024. In contrast, pharmaceutical actions rose from 96 to 108, while consumer goods recalls increased by 14.9%.
The automotive sector posted the biggest drop, with recalls falling 20.4% to 227. The number of affected units also declined sharply, from 1.12 million in 2024 to 420,562 in 2025.
At the same time, regulators have been updating rules in several areas. The report said these changes were aimed at aligning Australian standards with those in other countries.
New measures include stronger cyber security requirements for smart devices and toys, expanded responsibility rules for batteries and other consumer goods, and updated requirements tied to vehicle emissions and Autonomous Emergency Braking. There are also new safety rules for lithium-ion batteries used in e-micromobility devices and updated standards for infant sleep products.
In the health sector, the Therapeutic Goods Administration introduced a new procedure for recalls, product alerts and product corrections. This sets out how companies must handle recalls involving medical devices, medicines, bloods, and biologicals.
Other changes include updates to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, approval of a cell-cultured food product, and continued work on regulating software and AI-enabled medical devices.
