Selling Unsafe Toys Proves Costly for Discount Store
Published Sunday, 22 June, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
A national discount retail chain has been fined a record $9000 for selling dangerous toys that failed Queensland’s product safety laws.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said Dimmeys was convicted of selling toys that failed Queensland and national safety standards for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age.
“Product safety inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading visited the company’s Deception Bay store during a proactive compliance check in January 2007,” Mr Shine said.
“Inspectors were concerned about the ‘Intelligence Funny Toys Puzzle’ on sale and later had it tested for compliance with product safety standards.
“The toys were intended for small children but when tested by the Office of Fair Trading, the samples failed the required standards for small parts and durability.
“The company pleaded guilty in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on Friday the 13th to breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989.”
Mr Shine said strict standards for toys for small children were in place to reduce the risk of children choking on small parts.
“Traders have a responsibility to make sure the products on their shelves are safe,” he said.
“With the added international focus on product safety over the past year there is little excuse for selling unsafe toys.
“The Bligh Government will not compromise children’s safety and will continue to take strong action against suppliers who disregard the law by selling unsafe toys.”
Mr Shine said traders could help ensure their products met Queensland and Australian mandatory standards by using the ‘Product Safety Online Tool’ on the Office of Fair Trading website.
For more information on product safety standards visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies, 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said Dimmeys was convicted of selling toys that failed Queensland and national safety standards for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age.
“Product safety inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading visited the company’s Deception Bay store during a proactive compliance check in January 2007,” Mr Shine said.
“Inspectors were concerned about the ‘Intelligence Funny Toys Puzzle’ on sale and later had it tested for compliance with product safety standards.
“The toys were intended for small children but when tested by the Office of Fair Trading, the samples failed the required standards for small parts and durability.
“The company pleaded guilty in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on Friday the 13th to breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989.”
Mr Shine said strict standards for toys for small children were in place to reduce the risk of children choking on small parts.
“Traders have a responsibility to make sure the products on their shelves are safe,” he said.
“With the added international focus on product safety over the past year there is little excuse for selling unsafe toys.
“The Bligh Government will not compromise children’s safety and will continue to take strong action against suppliers who disregard the law by selling unsafe toys.”
Mr Shine said traders could help ensure their products met Queensland and Australian mandatory standards by using the ‘Product Safety Online Tool’ on the Office of Fair Trading website.
For more information on product safety standards visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies, 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273