Published
NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox today is urging consumers to check their USB chargers following a national voluntary product recall of USB chargers previously sold by Officeworks.
The affected USB chargers were sold at Officeworks stores and on the company’s website between 19 July 2013 and 2 August 2014.
“This is a voluntary recall undertaken by Officeworks following a recent incident where a USB charging device overheated, causing the casing to melt,” Mr Mason-Cox said.
“Consumers who have purchased these devices are urged to stop using them immediately and return the goods to Officeworks for a full refund.
“If consumers are unsure, they should still contact Officeworks for advice’’ he said.
The Officeworks free call number is 1300 1300 633 423.
The product model number is MS10071223. Around 3400 devices have been sold nationally, with approximately 1050 of these products sold in NSW.
More information on the recall will be available soon from the national product recall website – www.recalls.gov.au.
Officeworks is liaising directly with Energy Safe Victoria, who is the home regulator for this product, about the recall.
“Fair Trading has been warning consumers about the dangers of using unapproved electrical goods following the tragic death of Mrs Sheryl Aldeguer,” Mr Mason-Cox said.
“The device being recalled, however, is not the same model as the device implicated in that tragic incident.’’
“This warning is doing the right thing by consumers and making safety a priority.
“Officeworks has confirmed that they will be getting the USB charger tested and assessed,” he said.
Fair Trading inspectors recently undertook targeted visits at shops and markets across NSW checking for unapproved electrical goods. That operation resulted in inspections being undertaken in hundreds of suburbs and towns across NSW. In total 2124 articles were inspected at the premises of 1166 individual traders.
Fair Trading issued 17 Penalty Infringement notice fines as a result, and two matters are the subject of ongoing investigation. Fair Trading continues to monitor shops and on-line for these items.
Consumers should always check with the supplier or seller of these types of chargers to ensure the items comply with Australian standards and by looking for the approval mark.
Approved electrical goods are identified by a marking consistent with capital letters corresponding to the authorised state, territory or independent approval body, followed by a certificate number. Details of legitimate approval marks are available on the Fair Trading website – www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.