Sunglasses supplier Sonya Valentine Pty Ltd trading as Sova Imports has given the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission a court-enforceable undertaking, including a product safety recall, in relation to sunglasses that fail the mandatory product safety standard.
Following the purchase of three pairs of $10 sunglasses at a kiosk in a suburban Brisbane shopping centre, the ACCC had the sunglasses tested against the mandatory standard for sunglasses and fashion spectacles. The sunglasses failed the standard and the ACCC raised its concerns with the retailer and the supplier of the non-complying sunglasses. The retailer immediately withdrew the offending products from all of its stores.
Sova Imports has also co-operated, providing a court enforceable undertaking to cease supplying the sunglasses and withdraw all remaining supplies from sale, place product recall notices in newspapers, provide refunds to all parties who return the sunglasses, and to establish a trade practices compliance program. The sunglasses, which were supplied in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria may cause blurred vision or discomfort, and did not have the required warning labels.
"This sends an important message to sunglasses and fashion spectacles suppliers including retailers that their products must comply with the mandatory product safety standard, even in the case of budget-priced products", ACCC Commissioner, Ms Jennifer McNeill, said.
"Sunglasses and fashion spectacles which do not meet the mandatory product safety standard cannot be legally supplied in Australia".
The ACCC has the responsibility for ensuring compliance with mandatory consumer product standards and regulations under the Trade Practices Act 1974. The Act prohibits the supply of goods that do not comply with a mandatory consumer product safety or information standard.
The safety standard for sunglasses and fashion spectacles aims to reduce the risk of damage to eyesight caused by excessive exposure to ultra violet light and to ensure that sunglasses are labelled with appropriate warnings. Warnings provide valuable guidance to consumers about the suitability of sunglasses and possible safety hazards. For example, some sunglasses may distort the vision of persons with defective colour vision.
ACCC surveys are conducted periodically to ensure compliance with the standard.
"The ACCC gives a high priority to its role in product safety because of the potential safety risks to consumers and will take swift action where issues of public safety are concerned".
Further information about mandatory product safety standards is available from the ACCC website: www.accc.gov.au.