Cloth materials regulation review

Overview

The key focus of this review is to obtain feedback on the most effective option for managing public health risks associated with cloth materials in Western Australia.

Please read the Discussion Paper entitled Managing the public health risks of cloth materials in Western Australia, before completing this survey.

The Health (Cloth Materials) Regulations 1985 encapsulate a variety of materials that may present a fomite transmission of disease. A fomite is any nonliving object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms, such as viruses or bacteria, and hence transferring them from one individual to another. Such materials include, but are not limited to the hire of/sale of second-hand items such as:

• clothing and costumes
• carpets and other soft floor coverings
• footwear including shoes (e.g. bowling shoes), ice skates, boots etc.
• head coverings including hats and headgear (e.g. helmets, hard hats)
• bedding and similar items including mattresses, pillows, upholstery and cushions
• wigs

The discussion paper outlines a number of future management options including:

• Option A – Retain the status quo, that is, replicate the current regulatory system as much as possible.

• Option B – Repeal the regulations and provide guidance notes. This is the DoH’s preferred option.

• Option C – Replace with new, modernised regulations.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. There are 13 questions. You do not have to comment on all the questions, and can focus on those areas that are important to you.  

Unless marked as confidential, all correspondence will be regarded as public documents and be made available on the Department of Health website or be viewed by members of the public on request. If you wish for your response to remain confidential please check the box at the beginning of the survey.

You can read the survey questions here prior to completing the online survey. 

Why your views matter

With the introduction of the Public Health Act 2016 in WA, all public health regulations, including the Health (Cloth Materials) Regulations 1985, must be reviewed and either repealed or replaced with regulations compliant with the new regulatory framework.

You are welcome to provide additional feedback that may not be related to any of the questions or ideas for options that have not been considered.

Please explain the reasons behind your suggestions, and where possible evidence to support your views, estimates of any costs that may relate to the proposal, and examples of solutions. 

What happens next

After analysis of all submissions, a determination of which option to adopt, will be made.

Feedback from this review will also be submitted to the WA Better Regulation Unit, to support the preferred option.   

Stakeholders will be emailed a summary paper. 

Please email publichealthact@health.wa.gov.au if you have any queries.