Product recalls: 2019 international campaign

The ACCC is urging consumers to 'react to recalls', as part of an international campaign on product recalls.

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From 21-25 October 2019, the ACCC is participating in a global awareness raising campaign on consumer product recalls led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and jointly coordinated by the ACCC and European Commission.

This global campaign aims to raise consumer awareness of the importance of participating in a recall and encourages businesses to be aware of different ways to reach consumers affected by a recall.

Recalled products

Product recalls are an important corrective action for keeping unsafe products away from consumers.

Over the past decade, product recalls have been steadily increasing worldwide. In 2018, around 3720 consumer product recalls were issued by almost 40 jurisdictions.

Between 2013-17, toys and baby/children’s products accounted for almost 1 in 3 consumer product recalls monitored by the ACCC .

Consumer action on product recalls generally remain low and as a result, a large proportion of recalled products remain in consumer homes which exposes them to injuries and even death.

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Tips for consumers

Don’t let recalled products hide in your home:

• sign up to alerts to receive recall information locally and globally
• register your product, where possible, to be notified if it is affected by a recall
• stop using a recalled product immediately – your life may be in danger
• follow recall notice instructions, and contact the business or your local consumer protection agency if you’re not sure what to do
• spread the word about product recalls around you.

Tips for businesses

Show that you C.A.R.E. by keeping your recalled products away from consumers:

Clear

• provide clear information about the product you’re recalling and its risks
• clearly communicate how consumers can participate in your recall.

Accessible

• make recall notices easy for your consumers to find
• provide consumers with ways to contact you
• where possible, offer consumers the option to register their products in a simple way.

Resolve

• offer practical and convenient remedies to your consumers 
• monitor the impact of your product recalls and adjust your strategy where necessary.

Engage

• work with your stakeholders to help spread your message
• motivate consumers by offering incentives to participate in your recall
• use a variety of communication channels to alert your consumers.

Subscribe

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More information

Recall guidance for suppliers
Product safety laws
Publications