Fair Trading bans reinforce consumer safety
Posted by editor (editor) on May 17 2009
2009 >>

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor has reinforced the Government’s commitment to consumer safety, issuing permanent bans on a number of potentially dangerous products and introducing compulsory safety labelling for treadmills.

“Five products had been temporarily banned while Fair Trading officers investigated whether they were suitable for sale in the longer-term,” Mr Lawlor said.

“These investigations have found that these products are not appropriate for sale, so I have had them banned permanently.

“Permanent bans of unsafe products ensure that Queenslanders – and children in particular – are protected from the risk of injury or death.”

Mr Lawlor said the five permanently banned products were:

- Bindeez Beads. A number of children became seriously ill in 2007 after they ingested the beads, which can cause drug-like symptoms. While Bindeez Beads are no longer sold by retailers, the ban will ensure they cannot be in future.

- Fire Foot Bags. “These bags have a huge potential for injury when used by someone without the suitable skills,” Mr Lawlor said. “The product remains available for professional entertainers and for theatrical use where the purchaser is able to demonstrate the appropriate qualifications or their intended use.”

- Amazing Jumbo Light Up Ball. This toy was supplied with a pump resembling a hypodermic syringe. In the hands of a child there is the strong potential for injury.

- Small Expanding Toys – These toys, which often come in the shape of an animal, can expand dramatically in size, potentially representing a hazard if they are swallowed.

- Toothpaste containing more than 0.25% by weight of diethylene glycol (DEG). DEG is a cheap substitute for glycerin, one of toothpaste's main ingredients, and is toxic under certain levels of exposure. The risk escalates significantly from repeated long-term exposure to the chemical.

“In addition, a mandatory labelling standard will officially commence on 1 June 2009. The standard requires warning labels to be placed on treadmills, alerting users to the danger of friction burns from the moving belt to young children.

Mr Lawlor has also banned the sale of toys containing excessive levels of lead until 31 December 2009, when a new mandatory safety standard will take effect.

“Lead is a well known health hazard which can pose serious long term health effects in children.” Mr Lawlor said.

For more information about product safety, including safety of children’s toys, go to the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 131 304.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 2:46 PM