ACCC Handled 173 Recalls in April-June 2016

Consumer products were 30.6% of 173 recalls handled by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) in the second quarter of calendar 2016. The 53 corrections involving "general consumer goods" were second to motor vehicles (88 or 50.9%), according to the report made available September 21. Other recall categories were food (11 or 6.4%), therapeutic goods (3 or 1.7%), and "other" (18 or 10.4%).

The report also explained how ACCC handled 857 mandatory reports. It assessed 332 itself, sent 370 to Food Safety Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), and forwarded 115 to other regulators. The remaining 120 await review.

Overall, there were 548 assessments, including on reports received earlier. ACCC deemed 419 to pose low risk. Others were moderate (36), significant (1), high (29), insufficient information (23), and higher stakeholder concern (40).

ACCC added, "The top ten highest risk product types this quarter were: washing machines, kitchen utensils/containers, bedding, household chemical products, electric cooking/ small household appliances, clothing/accessories, powered garden tools, all-terrain vehicles, household cleaning products and pressure cookers."

The report (bit.ly/2d6zPYo) also gave synopses of notable actions on Infinity electric cable, Samsung washers, Thermomix food processors, and hoverboards. It also noted an upcoming inspection program for cribs (related story in this issue).