Unsafe 'bus' bunk beds have been recalled from sale following Australian Competition and Consumer Commission concern.
"The ACCC has accepted court-enforceable undertakings from two furniture importers and suppliers, Furniture Galore Pty Ltd and Eternal Design Pty Ltd," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
"The ACCC was concerned the companies supplied a type of children's bunk bed which did not comply with the mandatory product safety standard*.
"The Fantasy Bus bunk bed is a novelty item designed in the form of a two tier bus with open windows. The ACCC was concerned that the bed failed to comply with certain provisions of the mandatory standard.
"The ACCC was particularly concerned about gaps in the bunk bed which may have presented a serious entrapment hazard to children. Also, an allegedly non-compliant guard rail may have a posed a potential fall-out hazard for a child," Mr Samuel said.
Eternal Design imported 94 bunk beds and Furniture Galore imported 20 bunk beds which were sold in retail stores nationally. They have stopped supply of the beds and begun retailer and consumer recalls.
Furniture Galore and Eternal Design have undertaken to:
stop supplying any bunk beds that do not comply with the mandatory consumer product safety standard, and
implement or upgrade a trade practices law compliance program, focussing on product safety.
Mr Samuel said consumer safety is of paramount importance, especially when children are placed at risk through non-compliance with mandatory safety standards.
"Suppliers must ensure they take responsibility for the products they supply. This involves ensuring products comply with all relevant Federal and State legislation."
The ACCC's website provides links to important information on safety standards and product liability.
*Section 65C of the Trade Practices Act 1974 prohibits a company from supplying consumer goods which are subject to a prescribed consumer product safety standard and which do not comply with that standard. The mandatory standard for bunk beds is based on Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4220:1994 Bunk Beds.
