The ACCC issued four infringement notices to IMG in relation to four different models of
The ACCC also issued two infringement notices to each of
Mandatory safety and information standards were introduced in
While the packaging of the car key remotes supplied by IMG and sold to consumers by
"Button batteries are incredibly dangerous for young children. All businesses, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, involved in the supply chain for button batteries or products powered by them must comply with the mandatory safety and information standards to help keep Australian children safe," ACCC Acting Chair
"The mandatory button battery information standards were introduced to prevent serious injuries and death by requiring clear safety warning labels on product packaging so consumers are alert to the dangers of button batteries. Requiring consumers to take an extra step to access this vital information is not acceptable in our view."
"Car key remotes and fobs are everyday household items that are tempting toys for young children, and frequently within their reach. These types of products must have explicit and clearly visible warnings,"
"We urge parents and caregivers to check the home for unsecured or loose button batteries and to keep products containing them away from young children. Products that were purchased before the mandatory standards were introduced in
Consumers who purchased an
Button batteries are small, round and shiny and can be appealing to young children to swallow. When ingested, a chemical reaction occurs that can have catastrophic outcomes, including serious injury to vital organs or death.
If swallowed, a button battery can cause catastrophic injuries in as little as two hours.
If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, contact the 24/7
The ACCC strongly encourages consumers to report product safety incidents to the supplier and to report product safety concerns or near misses to the ACCC through the Product Safety Australia website. We also encourage consumers to check the list of recalled products on the Product Safety website.
The ACCC has published a fact sheet and guide for businesses on the mandatory standards to assist businesses with meeting their obligations. Background
Four mandatory button battery standards operate in
The safety standards include requirements for child safe packaging and secure battery compartments. The information standards require warning information and emergency advice to be displayed on packaging and batteries.
To demonstrate compliance with the safety standards, businesses must test products containing button batteries and button battery packaging to applicable standards before supply to a consumer. This cannot be assessed based on a visual inspection alone. The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies may request test reports as proof of compliance.
The ACCC consulted and engaged extensively with industry during the 18-month transition period before the standards became mandatory, including working with businesses to explain the changes that would be required to comply with the new standards.
In
In
In
In
In
Supplying a product that fails to comply with a mandatory information standard is a contravention of section 136(1) of the Australian Consumer Law.
While a total of 2,524 products were supplied by IMG, Supercheap and
Contraventions of section 136(1) of the Australian Consumer Law which occurred after
IMG, Supercheap and
The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law, which also sets the penalty amount.
The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain consumer protection provisions in the Australian Consumer Law.
.
(C) 2023 M2 COMMUNICATIONS, source