ACCC Reports on Recall Data from Late 2017

Australia saw 62 recalls of general consumer products in the last quarter of 2017. That is according to the ACCCount report made available in February by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), which oversees such corrections.

Overall (including other agencies) there were 132 recalls. Motor vehicles were the subjects of 53, food of 12, and therapeutic goods of five.

Meanwhile, ACCC said it assessed 787 mandatory injury reports. It launched investigations on 18, closed ongoing investigations on 11, decided that 337 needed no more follow-up, and sent 421 to other agencies for them to handle.

As well, the agency conducted surveillance at 514 retailers or other sites and looked at 4,313 product lines. Its agents decided that 29 products merited additional reviews.

The report (bit.ly/2EScDuv) covers all areas of ACCC's purview, but other product safety highlights included:

• Samsung Washers: ACCC is looking into whether it or another government agency can aid the company in identifying owners, especially involving address changes.

 

• Button Batteries: It assessed 70 products containing button batteries and pushed recalls and/or educated companies whose products showed safety problems.

 

• Furniture Tipover: The agency contacted 38 major furniture and TV retailers to seek safety initiatives, and it participated in international advocacy run by OECD.

 

• Summer Safety: Its educational campaign ran from November to February reaching more than 81,000 consumers. Targets included ATVs, button batteries, ladders, portable pools, powered toys, sunglasses, trampolines, and others.

 

• Balloon Blowing Kits: ACCC's review of safety standards ended with no updates being recommended.

 

• Takata Airbags: ACCC issued a warning in August and is conducting an investigation to make recommendations.

 

• Infinity Cable: An audit identified an additional 800 km needing recall, bringing the total to About 4,721 km. Some 2,470 km (52%) has been remedied.