Published
New South Wales Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is urging consumers to check their power boards following a national voluntary recall of two popular brands of power boards due to the risk of fire and injury.
Mr Roberts said Arlec Australia Pty Ltd had initiated the recall of its 4-outlet, individually-switched power board, surge-protected model PB4SS-2, due to the potential for the switch to fail under a high current load.
“NSW Fair Trading has been advised that 35,272 of these twin pack products have been sold nationally with an estimated 8,412 of these sold in NSW between 28 October 2010 and 6 April 2011,” he said.
“These products have been sold through major retail and hardware stores, including Bunnings.”
“Arlec Australia requests consumers immediately stop using the affected power board and contact Arlec Customer Service on 03 9727 8860 to arrange a replacement or a refund.”
Mr Roberts said Peachy ICT Pty Ltd has initiated the recall of their PowerGlo surge-protected 4-outlet power board model PG-4PBS-IS due to a fault in the switch, causing it to fail under a high current load.
“Around 10,000 of these products have been sold individually and as a twin pack through Thrifty Link and Home Timber and Hardware stores,” he said.
“Peachy ICT requests consumers immediately stop using the affected PowerGlo product and return the board to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.”
Mr Roberts said that luckily to date, no injuries have been reported for either product.
“The suppliers did the right thing in acting swiftly to remove the products from retailers’ shelves,” he said.
“Voluntary recalls play an important role in product safety by minimising the risk to consumers.
“By manufacturers and sellers of electrical goods working closely with Government we can ensure that consumers are readily notified with the aim of removing or rectifying any unsafe products that have been sold to the public,” he said.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, a supplier is obliged to recall consumer goods immediately once they are aware the goods may cause injury, do not comply with a safety standard or are banned.
When a supplier initiates a recall, they must notify the Commonwealth Minister within 48 hours of recalling the goods. Failing to do so is breaking the law. For more Australian product recall information visit www.recalls.gov.au
Contact details
General inquiries
NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20