News

The consumer product safety watchdog is ensuring Australian babies and children remain safe from injuries caused by unsafe products and clothing. Recent Federal Court decisions have put all traders on notice that the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is committed and vigorous in conducting its escalating surveillance campaigns.

The Federal Court has ordered Ozsale Pty Ltd (Ozsale) pay penalties totalling $500,000 for supplying children’s nightwear which did not comply with the Australian mandatory safety standard.

Stationery and toy retailer Smiggle has removed a button battery-powered yo-yo from stores in WA, and across Australia, to protect children from injury or death.

Tragically, between one and two children die in Australian homes every year as a result of non-compliant corded blinds and curtains. Similar deaths occur regularly across the world and the ACCC is joining international regulators to warn of the hidden dangers associated with corded blinds and curtains.

The Federal Court has ordered Online Dealz Pty Ltd (Online Dealz) to pay a penalty of $100,000 for supplying a household cot, portable cot and stroller that did not comply with safety standards, and for making misleading representations in advertisements for the household cot and portable cot, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

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.

About 50 West Australian children are taken to hospital with cot-related injuries each year, prompting a new campaign to educate parents about the safety of second-hand cots.

Each year, increasing numbers of children eat or inhale the contents of brightly coloured packets of laundry detergent, mistaking them for lollies or teething toys.

Victorians have contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria more than 175,000 times in six months.

Consumer Protection has expressed concern about the safety of hoverboards and the fire risks associated with some models.