Published
A Moorabbin-based gift supplier has been ordered to recall unsafe candles and children’s toys and permanently banned from selling the items unless it puts a compliance program into practice.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard that in September last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria staff searched the premises of Yipeng Cheng, trading as Roc's Oriental Gift Import, and seized a number of non-compliant candles in plastic holders and plastic toy helicopters.
The company was ordered by consent to pay $3000 to the Victorian Consumer Law Fund and court costs, and publish a public warning on its website.
Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Claire Noone said the penalty served as a reminder that the consumer watchdog will take action to protect Victorians from dodgy products.
"It is vital that importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers ensure they are aware of their responsibilities to their customers and comply with safety standards, which are in place to protect consumers," Dr Noone said.
"These products are banned for a very good reason – they are unsafe and have the potential to cause serious injury.
"This is why product safety standards are critical. They provide for rigorous scrutiny of all products, to help ensure that anything dangerous will not make it to Victorian shelves and ultimately, to consumers."
Dr Noone said Consumer Affairs Victoria actively educates traders by providing product hazard alerts, publications and undertaking inspections, so they can easily identify unsafe products and understand their responsibility in keeping Victorians safe.
"In the 2012-13 financial year alone, Consumer Affairs Victoria inspected 5000 product lines and seized 28,000 unsafe goods," Dr Noone said.
"Australia has strict safety standards in place to protect consumers from dangerous products, and it is Consumer Affairs Victoria's priority to ensure these products are removed from the market permanently."
For more information about product safety or to report an unsafe product, view our Product safety for consumers section.
