Published Thursday, 29 November, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Fair Trading Acts to Ensure Product Safety: Shine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has warned swift action will be taken against traders who don’t comply with Queensland’s mandatory product safety standards.
“A recent spate of recalls and bans of unsafe products is evidence of the effectiveness of Queensland’s product safety maintenance system”, Mr Shine said.
“Product Safety Officers in the Office of Fair Trading work proactively with industry, the States and Territories, the Commonwealth and the community, to ensure that unsafe products are detected and removed from sale,” he said.
“The majority of Queensland businesses and traders comply with our strict standards, however if any trader does not comply with these mandatory standards we will take swift action to have those products removed and if necessary prosecute traders in the courts.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading prosecutes traders for serious breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1989 and for failure to comply with mandatory safety and information standards set out in the Fair Trading Regulation 2001.
“In March this year, a Brisbane toy distributor was fined $5364 for supplying toys which failed the safety standard for children up to and including 36 months of age.
“In October, another trader was also found guilty of failing to comply with this safety standard and was fined $1,266.”
Mr Shine said Office of Fair Trading Product Safety Officers conduct hundreds of compliance spot checks every year, encompassing thousands of products.
“In 2006-2007, 613 spot checks were carried out, covering thousands of products and novelties.”
“As a result of action by the Office of Fair Trading, 298 items were identified as requiring further assessment resulting in 27 warnings, 3 enforceable undertakings and 13 product safety recalls.
“For less serious breaches, the Office of Fair Trading issues official warnings and enters into enforceable undertakings with traders.
“Consumers can also be assured that the Office of Fair Trading will continue to maintain a high level of product safety and to provide information and advice to help consumers buy safe products.
“Product safety is everyone’s business. Consumers, suppliers, traders and Governments must all work together to prevent product related injury,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“A recent spate of recalls and bans of unsafe products is evidence of the effectiveness of Queensland’s product safety maintenance system”, Mr Shine said.
“Product Safety Officers in the Office of Fair Trading work proactively with industry, the States and Territories, the Commonwealth and the community, to ensure that unsafe products are detected and removed from sale,” he said.
“The majority of Queensland businesses and traders comply with our strict standards, however if any trader does not comply with these mandatory standards we will take swift action to have those products removed and if necessary prosecute traders in the courts.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading prosecutes traders for serious breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1989 and for failure to comply with mandatory safety and information standards set out in the Fair Trading Regulation 2001.
“In March this year, a Brisbane toy distributor was fined $5364 for supplying toys which failed the safety standard for children up to and including 36 months of age.
“In October, another trader was also found guilty of failing to comply with this safety standard and was fined $1,266.”
Mr Shine said Office of Fair Trading Product Safety Officers conduct hundreds of compliance spot checks every year, encompassing thousands of products.
“In 2006-2007, 613 spot checks were carried out, covering thousands of products and novelties.”
“As a result of action by the Office of Fair Trading, 298 items were identified as requiring further assessment resulting in 27 warnings, 3 enforceable undertakings and 13 product safety recalls.
“For less serious breaches, the Office of Fair Trading issues official warnings and enters into enforceable undertakings with traders.
“Consumers can also be assured that the Office of Fair Trading will continue to maintain a high level of product safety and to provide information and advice to help consumers buy safe products.
“Product safety is everyone’s business. Consumers, suppliers, traders and Governments must all work together to prevent product related injury,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273