Two warnings have been issued and three undertakings accepted from the toy supply industry after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission discovered toys available that breach the mandatory product safety standard for children aged three years and under*.
Mr Toys Toyworld, Educational Experience and Extend Abilities provided the ACCC with administrative undertakings after the ACCC identified toys that did not comply with the mandatory standard. Warnings were issued to Little People Imports and Little Smartypants.
The toys recalled were:
- Balls Stair (Santa's Toys) supplied by Educational Experience and Extend Abilities and Little Smartypants
- Hammer Ball (Megcos)** supplied by Mr Toys Toyworld
- Bambini Perlen and Boa Bella (Haba) supplied by Little People Imports and Little Smartypants.
The toys contained small balls with diameters of less than about 45mm. Under the standard, removable balls in toys suitable for a child aged three and under must be bigger than about 45mm in diameter.
"This standard is in place because small balls pose a choking hazard to young children," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel said.
"Our action should be a general warning to the toy industry: audit your stock and update your compliance procedures, because consumer safety is of paramount importance.
"Each supplier cooperated with the ACCC and withdrew the toys from sale immediately. The suppliers also took various steps to recall the toys, including publishing recall notices in newspapers and on websites, displaying in-store notices, and contacting customers directly.
"But these toys should not have been on the shelves. It is the responsibility of the toy industry to ensure that every toy sold is safe for children to use. Businesses selling toys must have effective systems in place to identify dangerous goods before they reach consumers."
The undertakings require suppliers to keep up-to-date with product safety standards, and to train staff about product safety and the Trade Practices Act 1974. The suppliers have also undertaken to establish product safety recall procedures and complaints handling procedures.
"The ACCC prefers companies to establish compliance procedures, rather than to face heavy fines as a result of non-compliance or, worse, to put child safety at risk," Mr Samuel said. "An effective compliance program is an essential element of doing business, particularly for businesses trading in products subject to mandatory product safety standards."
The products identified by the ACCC were purchased in Brisbane and Nambour by ACCC staff as part of a national product safety survey carried out in December 2006. The toys were supplied in limited numbers nationally.