In Victoria, over a thousand products, including a variety of toys, have been removed from stores after the state’s consumer protection authority identified them as hazardous.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has intensified its scrutiny of both small and large retailers throughout Australia, as well as online toy sellers, in the lead-up to the holiday season.
The recall encompasses items such as sunglasses, cosmetics, and clothing that lack proper material labeling, in addition to toys flagged as dangerous.
Particular concern has been raised over toys containing button batteries, which present significant risks to young children.
Nicole Rich, the Executive Director, emphasized that the primary aim is to ensure child safety, rather than diminishing the joy of Christmas by removing toys.
“There’s absolutely no justification,” she stated. “Button batteries are known to be lethal.”
“Young children are attracted to them. If a child swallows one, they can hurt or kill a child in just a few hours.”
Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos echoed the message.
“We’ll do the worrying, so families and children can have a happy and, most importantly, a safe Christmas,” he said,=.
“It’s not just at Christmas time and [pulling] out those unsafe items, it is about protecting the safety of all Victorians.”
On-the-spot fines are being issued for retailers falling foul of the law in person, while the attempt to police online retailers continues.
Rich said there were no standout retailers breaching laws consistently, but said it was their obligation to protect Australians.
“Whether you are deliberately not complying or you just don’t understand the obligations, it’s not acceptable to put people, and particularly kids, at risk,” she said.
