More than 20,000 shoppers complained to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about consumer guarantees in 2016, with more than a quarter reporting problems returning electronics and whitegoods to retailers.

As the Christmas period ends and Boxing Day sales wind down, the ACCC is reminding shoppers they have automatic guarantee rights that a product will work for a reasonable period of time under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

“We are concerned that businesses continue to misrepresent the rights of consumers when they try to return a faulty product,” ACCC Acting Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

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Christmas Tree Lights

• check old Christmas lights before re-using them
• test lights before installation
• make sure the power is off when installing Christmas lights or changing bulbs
• do not piggybank double adaptors on powerboards
• always turn off decorative lighting before going to bed or leaving the house
• keep Christmas lights out of reach of children

Outdoor Lighting

• when installing outdoor lights use only those designed for external use (generally these types will have a transformer)
• always turn off outdoor lights during rain or storms
• ensure that your outdoor connections are weatherproofed
• do not piggybank double adaptors on powerboards
• follow the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer
• do not run electrical leads over doorways or through windows, over walkways or driveways where they may be damaged

Check before you shop:–

• No products on your shopping list have been recalled – Product Safety Australia
• Any warning labels or safety information
• Toys are age appropriate and that button batteries are secured. The battery compartment should be secured with a captive screw, bolt or other mechanism that requires a tool to gain access to the batteries or the compartment requires two or more independent AND simultaneous actions to remove its cover.
• Check after Christmas – Product Safety Australia

Over the past year several types of detachable wall plugs have been recalled as they have come apart exposing live wires and presenting a risk of electrical shock. The wall plugs should not come apart easily and the plug portion should not separate when removed from the power socket.

For more information please check the Recalls on the Product Safety Australia website.

Extract:

Amendment 1 to this Standard adds requirements to address safety issues identified with coin/button batteries and batteries designated R1.

Equipment containing one or more coin/button cell/R1 batteries shall have safety warnings in the instructions accompanying the equipment.

To find out more about this standard go to http://www.saiglobal.com

19 September 2016

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urging businesses to adopt a new Code designed to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from children swallowing button batteries in Australia.

Read more on the ACCC website

New website to warn consumers about unsafe products

Button batteries are a little known but severe injury risk for children. Every week, around 20 Australian children present to an emergency department following exposure to button batteries, including ingestions and insertions. Incidents are most common among very young children and toddlers, with the majority of cases involving children younger than six years.

Read more at Product Safety Australia

Date of Application is 1 year – 29/01/2017

Main changes:-

Projector, Sewing Machine, Simple Portable Luminaire

Level 3 ➡ Level 2

Air Conditioner with flammable refrigerant

Level 1 ➡ Level 3

Air Conditioner with non-flammable/low flammable refrigerant

Level 1 ➡ Level 2