Faulty products hit list

4.5 million recalls in FY18.

Faulty products continue to cause serious injury and harm to thousands of Australians, with more than 4.5 million items recalled by suppliers in the 2017-18 financial year. A total of 613 products were recalled, 26 from the electronics and technology sectors.

New figures showed at least 10 people a day are injured and require medical attention as a result of unsafe products, according to mandatory reports provided to the ACCC by manufacturers and retailers.

“Ten injuries a day due to defective products is alarming, but we suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg as many more consumers don’t report injuries to the product suppliers at all,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

Read more of the Appliance Retailer article here.

ERAC has published an information bulletin on electric shocks from power supply units where part of the unit has become attached.

To read the full bulletin click here.

Certification Body Australia continue to issue certificates for Australian telecom approvals.

The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) has approved the scope extension of Certification Body Australia as a Conformity Assessment Body providing Product Certification Services in the Telecommunications Equipment Certification Scheme (TECS).

For list of certification bodies click here.

For full details please read the information notice from the Electrical Safety Office, Queensland:-

Glue gun – Info Notice

For full details please read the information notice from the Electrical Safety Office, Queensland:-

Nightlight – mains socket-outlet mounted – Info Notice

For full details please read the Information Notice from the Electrical Safety Office, Queensland :-

Information notice – LED lamps (self-ballasted) v1.1

Product safety a priority.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims has reaffirmed support for introducing a general safety provision into Australian Consumer Law to reduce the risk of unsafe goods entering the market.

Speaking at the National Consumer Congress in Sydney, Sims said the new policy sets out how the ACCC will manage product safety risks, and the issues it will target in 2018. “As an agency, it is essential we prioritise our product safety resource allocation,” he said.

This year, the ACCC will be targeting nine critical safety issues facing Australian consumers that include: reducing the risk from button batteries and toppling furniture; products supplied over the internet and reviewing compulsory safety standards and bans to make sure these are working and businesses are complying.

Read the full article here.

The ACCC is co-leading an international safety campaign urging parents and carers to anchor unstable furniture and large TVs to the wall to prevent infant deaths and serious injuries.

The consumer watchdog is joining the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and 18 other regulators from around the world in alerting consumers to the dangers of unstable furniture and large TVs.

Suppliers are also being urged to take immediate steps to improve the stability of these products and supply anchors at the point of sale.

Buying tips

• Purchase low-set furniture or furniture with sturdy, stable and broad bases.
• Look for furniture that comes with safety information or equipment for anchoring it to the walls.
• Test the furniture in the shop – make sure it is stable. For example, pull out the top drawers and apply a little pressure to see how stable it is; make sure the drawers do not fall out easily.

Safety tips

• Attach, mount, bolt or otherwise secure furniture to walls and floors.
• Do not put heavy items on top shelves of bookcases.
• Discourage small children from climbing on furniture.
• Do not put tempting items such as favourite toys on top of furniture that encourage children to climb up and reach.
• Do not place unstable furniture near where children play.
• Put locking devices on all drawers and doors to prevent children opening them and using them as steps.

To read full article visit the ACCC website

….. “Whitegoods importers and retailers must be vigilant about sourcing pre-charged (gassed) whitegoods to ensure Australia’s regulation standards are maintained. Not all whitegoods coming from overseas meet Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, specifically Schedule 10. While overseas suppliers offer the goods for sale, it doesn’t mean they meet standards in Australia. The responsibility is on the Australian buyer or importer to source responsibly. For large quantities of whitegoods, obtain the required permit from the Department of Environment and Energy. For small quantities exempt from permits, know your limits on quantity and gases permitted.”

Read the full article in Appliance Retailer for August 2017.

Details of Ozone Depleting Substance/Synthetic Greeenhouse Gas Equipment Licences (EQPL) and requirements are available on the Department of Environment and Energy website.

Optus will start switching off its 2G mobile network from April 2017 and  Vodafone’s 2G network will turn off in September 2017. Telstra already shut down its 2G mobile network at the end of 2016.

The Optus 2G network in WA and NT will switch off on 3 April 2017 and in SA, QLD, VIC, NSW, TAS and ACT it will switch off on 1 August 2017.

Most 2G customers will need to either upgrade their SIM or handset to continue to receive service. Contact your service provider to find out what your options are.

For further information see the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association website.