ACCC alleges safety misrepresentations in solarium advertising

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings against a Tasmanian company, Honeybank Corporation Pty Ltd, trading as Aquarius Roman Baths, alleging the company made false, misleading or deceptive claims about the safety of its solarium services.

Aquarius allegedly advertised that its solarium tanning services were 'safe' and 'the safe alternative to Tassie's sunlight'. 

The ACCC alleges the safety claims are likely to be false or misleading in light of medical research linking solarium usage with skin damage and ageing as well as an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

The ACCC is seeking orders including declarations, injunctions and corrective advertising.

The matter has been listed for a directions hearing in the Federal Court, Hobart, on 5 April 2005 before Justice Heerey.