If you make, import, distribute or sell motor vehicle

recovery (’snatch’) straps, this information is

important to you.

From 1 April 2008 all motor vehicle recovery straps

supplied in Queensland must meet certain product

information and packaging marking requirements

From 1 October 2008, all requirements of the

standard must be complied with.

The prescribed safety standard is intended to

ensure motor vehicle recovery straps meet essential

marking and information requirements to minimise

the risk of death or injury which can occur when

these products are used unsafely.

As from 1 April 2008 all packaging must display

the following minimum information:

brand name or supplier’s logo

name and contact details of the Australian

manufacturer, importer, distributor or other

supplier

strap ‘minimum breaking strength’ in metric

units

a recommendation that the minimum breaking

strength of the strap should be between two

and three times the vehicle’s gross vehicle

mass (GVM).

As from 1 April 2008, a leaflet, booklet or guide

must be supplied with the product in addition to

packaging and permanently fixed information

Queensland

made under the

Contents

Page

1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Regulation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3 Amendment of s 2 (Commencement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

4 Amendment of s 7 (Insertion of new schs 5C and 5D). . . . . . . . . 2

‘Schedule 5C Safety standard for motor vehicle recovery

straps

1 Packaging marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Accompanying information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5 Insertion of new s 7A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

7A Amendment of sch 5C (Safety standard for motor

vehicle recovery straps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Permanently fixed information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6 Amendment of s 8 (Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary)) . . . . . . . . 5

[s 1]

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008

Page 2 2008 SL No. 71

Section 2(2)—

‘(2) Subject to subsection (3), the other provisions commence on 1

April 2008.

‘(3) Section 7A commences on 1 October 2008.’.

Section 7, proposed schedule 5C—

section 13F

‘(1) The packaging for a motor vehicle recovery strap must display

the following information about the strap in English and in a

way that is clearly visible and legible, including, for example,

on the packaging or on a label attached to the packaging—

(a) its brand name or supplier’s logo;

(b) the name and contact details of its Australian

manufacturer, importer, distributor or other supplier;

[s 4]

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008

2008 SL No. 71 Page 3

(c) its minimum breaking strength, expressed in metric

units;

(d) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength

of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the

vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM).

‘(2) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the inclusion of other

information with the packaging.

‘(1) A motor vehicle recovery strap must also be accompanied by

a document, other than the packaging, stating the following

information written in English—

(a) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength

of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the

vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM);

(b) advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the

lighter of the 2 vehicles used in the recovery process;

(c) how to use and maintain the strap.

‘(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(c)—

(a) the information to accompany a motor vehicle recovery

strap must state all of the following—

(i) persons intending to use the strap should consider

completing a nationally recognised four wheel

drive training course or contact a four wheel drive

club for comprehensive advice on the proper

selection and use of the strap;

(ii) the strap must not be used for lifting or

conventional towing;

(iii) persons intending to use the strap must ensure that

the strap is not damaged and is in usable condition;

(iv) the strap’s strength and stretch are reduced when

the strap is saturated;

[s 5]

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008

Page 4 2008 SL No. 71

(v) something like a recovery damper, heavy bag or

blanket must be draped over the strap during its use

to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap;

(vi) while the strap is being used, persons situated

outside the motor vehicles involved in the recovery

process must—

(A) be kept at a safe distance (recommended as

at least 1.5 times the length of the

unstretched strap) from either of the vehicles

involved in the recovery process; and

(B) never situate themselves within the path of

the vehicle performing the recovery; and

(b) the information must also include the following—

WARNING—Always follow product instructions. It is

important to correctly attach the motor vehicle recovery

strap to a motor vehicle. A standard tow ball or vehicle

tie-down point is not designed for this purpose and may

result in the strap or a vehicle component detaching

from a motor vehicle and striking and seriously injuring

or killing a person. Only attach the strap to a vehicle

recovery point or device that is suitably rated for use

with the strap. Incorrect use has previously resulted in

serious injury and death.

‘(3) Nothing in this section prevents the inclusion of other

accompanying information.’.’.

After section 7—

(1) Schedule 5C, section 2—

[s 6]

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008

2008 SL No. 71 Page 5

(2) Schedule 5C—

‘(1) The following information about a motor vehicle recovery

strap in English must be permanently fixed to the strap,

including, for example, by stitching a label to the strap so that

it is clearly visible and legible when the strap is being used—

(a) the name or logo of its Australian manufacturer,

importer, distributor or other supplier;

(b) its batch code or serial number;

(c) its minimum breaking strength, expressed in metric

units;

(d) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength

of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the

vehicle’s grosss vehicle mass (GVM);

(e) advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the

lighter of the 2 vehicles used in the recovery process;

(f) the warning stated in section 3(2)(b).

‘(2) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the inclusion of other

information on the strap.’.

(2) Section 8(2)—

mass of a motor vehicle—

(a) stated on the compliance plate, registration certificate,

or build plate for the vehicle; or

(b) stated in the handbook for the vehicle; or

[s 6]

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2008

Page 6 2008 SL No. 71

(c) stated in documentation for the vehicle available from

the vehicle’s manufacturer.

strap, means the minimum load necessary to cause the strap to

fail.’.

ENDNOTES

1 Made by the Governor in Council on 20 March 2008.

2 Notified in the gazette on 20 March 2008.

3 Laid before the Legislative Assembly on . . .

4 The administering agency is the Department of Justice and

Attorney-General.

© State of Queensland 2008