ACCC Gives Update on Infinity Cable Recall

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) March 2 warned there are about 2,300 km of Infinity electrical cable still installed in homes in that nation. This is about 61% of the 3,900 installed from 2010 to 2013. ACCC also gave state/territory remediation results:

• Australian Capital Territory: 156 km outstanding of 162 km supplied; 203 homes addressed.
• New South Wales: 1,776 km outstanding of 1,849 km supplied; 204 properties addressed.
• Northern Territory: None supplied.
• Queensland: 651 km outstanding of 680 supplied; 271 properties addressed.
• South Australia: 43 km outstanding of 44 km supplied; nine properties addressed.
• Tasmania: 4 km outstanding of 4 km supplied; one property addressed.
• Victoria: 888 km outstanding of 910 km supplied; 88 properties addressed.
• Western Australia: 249 km outstanding of 251 km supplied; 22 properties addressed.
• Unspecified Areas: 778 km scheduled for remediation.

The agency has an ongoing effort to address the cable, which risks electrical and fire hazards due to premature aging of the insulation. This includes part of its attention in 2016 to recall effectiveness (PSL, 3/7/16). See its most recent announcement, with the data, at bit.ly/1QIz3c1.

A challenge is that Infinity, the company with primary responsibility, is out of business, meaning ACCC must work with contractors to aid in remediation (PSL, 5/11/15). The agency created a task force to orchestrate the effort. Some 560 km was pulled prior to installation.