Premier

Unsafe Products Crushed To Keep Geelong Consumers Safe

15 March 2017

Geelong businesses are being warned to put product safety first, with thousands of unsafe items crushed following targeted inspections.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Marlene Kairouz today joined Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens to crush more than 2,500 banned or unsafe products seized from businesses in the region since 2010.

Kids’ toys make up the majority of the products, and include projectiles that can cause serious eye injuries, water toys that pose a drowning risk and battery operated toys that present a choking hazard.

Unsafe cots, kids’ nightwear, portable swimming pools and a monkey bike are also among items destroyed.

Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors monitor for any products that breach Australia’s strict mandatory safety standards, and educate traders about their responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law.

Suppliers that fail to comply with a mandatory safety standard can face fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a body corporate.

Throughout 2016, Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors in the Barwon South West region conducted 146 inspections and seized more than 300 non-compliant products.

Across Victoria, over 1,000 targeted inspections were conducted in 200 towns and suburbs, with 11,000 kids products among almost 70,000 items seized.

Anyone with concerns about product safety issues can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 36 48 94 or visit consumer.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Marlene Kairouz

“Kid’s safety comes first. That’s why we have inspectors on the beat, enforcing tough standards on all toys and products.”

“Geelong traders are on notice – if you’re selling unsafe products you can face fines of up to $1.1 million.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“We have mandatory safety standards and they need to be adhered to. Between 2009 and 2016, more than 130 children were treated at emergency departments in the Barwon South West region for injuries caused by toys.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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