Published
Pacific Impexp Services, trading on eBay as "bang_4ur_buck", has conducted a national voluntary recall of two of its bunk bed models after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission raised concerns that the beds did not meet the mandatory product safety standard.
Both models, designed for children, were sold on eBay between 1 August 2007 and 31 March 2008.
The mandatory standard for bunk beds outlines certain requirements relating to the design, construction, safety, performance and marking of bunk beds.
After contact from the ACCC in March 2008, Pacific Impexp Services responded immediately by notifying its overseas supplier of the problem, removing the non compliant beds from sale and commencing a process of contacting all customers who bought the beds to inform them of the recall.
Pacific Impexp Services has finalised all payments to customers who requested a full refund, and is currently manufacturing parts for customers who indicated a preference to modify the beds themselves.
"Anyone selling bunk beds has a responsibility to ensure that the beds supplied are safe," Deputy ACCC Chair, Mr Peter Kell, said today. "The ACCC continues to monitor compliance with mandatory product safety and information standards, and emphasise that online traders are also required to ensure that their goods comply with the relevant standards. eBay traders should note that they are not outside of normal business laws."
Suppliers of goods which fail to comply with the relevant mandatory product safety standard could face penalties of up to $1.1 million for companies and $220,000 for individuals.
Contact details
For media inquiries to the Deputy ACCC Chair, Mr Peter Kell, please call Ms Lin Enright, ACCC Media, on 0414 613 520.
Release # MR 311/08
General inquiries
Infocentre: 1300 302 502
Responsible regulator
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
