Published
Christmas will come early for importers and wholesalers of children’s toys, with NSW Fair Trading embarking on an early compliance blitz on dangerous products in coming weeks.
The operation comes in the wake of four recent successful prosecutions against businesses selling non-compliant toys, netting more than $30,000 in fines and court costs.
B&M Australian, trading as Pop Dollars in Wentworthville, was ordered to pay $5,240 in fines and costs for the sale of a light train battery powered Yijun and a Thomas Train.
He Luan Zhou, trading as Jacks Toys in Kogarah, was ordered to pay $1,479 in fines and costs for the sale of a Cartoon City Super Power Super Racing Car and a Don’t Fall Angry Bird.
Guangwei Zhao, from Chatswood, was ordered to pay $10,657 in fines and costs for the sale of a Red Shaker Drum, Pink and Orange Flashing Turtle and Loveable Snail Wood toy. This retailer had previously been convicted of two counts of supplying non-compliant toys in 2014.
Xue Tong Wang, from Haymarket, was ordered to pay $14,165 in fines and costs for the sale of a Super Archery Bow & Arrow set, two varieties of a Fire Truck Rescue Endless Power toy and a Wind Up Monster toy. This retailer had also previously been convicted of two counts of supplying non-compliant toys in 2011.
Xue Tong Wang and Guangwei Zhao were given 12 month good behaviour bonds in addition to their fines. Three of the four traders operated from Paddy’s Market in Haymarket.
All toys involved in the prosecutions (pictured below) failed the drop test, with small ingestible parts breaking free. Some products also failed additional safety tests with battery compartments being able to be easily accessed by a small child.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe urged all parents and carers to be extra vigilant when buying toys for young children.
“Price is often a good indicator of a toy’s quality and compliance with safety standards,” Mr Stowe said.
“Don’t cut costs when it comes to keeping small children safe. Always buy from a reputable trader.”
All toys involved in these prosecutions can be viewed on the NSW Fair Trading website at http://bit.ly/21bFUk1