Fair Trading warns toy sellers about product safety
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 26 2009
2009 >>

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor today reminded businesses to make sure they sell safe products, following the prosecution of a Brisbane shop selling a dangerous toy that children could choke on.

Mr Lawlor said Mooncoast Pty Ltd, trading as Dollars & Sense and located at the Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton, recently [11/11/09] faced court for selling a toy called the Musical Honey Bear.

“The toy was tested by an accredited laboratory and it failed six of the 10 mandatory safety requirements prescribed by the Toy Standard,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The company was fined $4,000 and was also required to pay court and testing costs (totalling $271.70) within four months.

“A conviction against Mooncoast Pty Ltd was also recorded.”

The toy was discovered during the OFT’s 2008 pre-Christmas toy compliance blitz and was immediately taken off the shelves.

Mr Lawlor said the fine was a warning to all retailers to make sure their products were safe.

“The safety of Queensland children is the number one priority,” Mr Lawlor said.

“That’s why the OFT regularly inspects shops, issues warnings and in some cases prosecutes traders for selling toys that could be a hazard.

“While it will always seek to work with businesses by providing advice on safety regulations, the OFT won’t hesitate in taking action against those businesses whose products pose a risk.

“No-one wants to give a child a toy that could cause them harm and this should be true for Queensland traders selling toy products.”

Traders caught selling products that fail to meet mandatory product safety standards face fines of up to $40,500 for an individual and five times that amount for a corporation.

Businesses and consumers can find a list of products currently banned in Queensland and advice on mandatory safety standards by visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or calling 13 13 04.

Last changed: Nov 26 2009 at 11:36 AM