The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted court enforceable undertakings from Hoover Floorcare Asia Pacific Pty Ltd concerning the overstatement of the power output of two of its vacuum cleaners.
Hoover has acknowledged that the represented power ratings of both vacuum cleaners was potentially misleading under the consumer protection provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and has offered to compensate consumers affected by its conduct.
Hoover is a national importer and distributor of Hoover vacuum cleaner products which it supplies to retailers throughout Australia. Between 2004 and 2007, Hoover represented that:
- its Powerforce H5003 Vacuum cleaner had a maximum power output of 2200 watts, whereas it was only able to achieve 2000 watts. The cleaner is able to achieve a 2200 watt output with the addition of a Powerbrush attachment, and
- its Hoover Handivac JVC 2026 hand held vacuum cleaner had a power output of 12 volts or nine volts whereas the cleaner contained a six volt battery.
The ACCC has accepted court enforceable undertakings from Hoover that it will:
- only represent the power output of the vacuum cleaner as supplied
- prominently indicate any requirement to purchase additional attachments to achieve any represented maximum output
- discontinue promotional material that misrepresents the power output of its products
- write to its retailers outlining the conduct and request the retailers display a notice in their stores offering compensation to affected consumers
- publish a notice in the Weekend Australian newspaper and on Hoover's website at http://www.hooverfloorcare.com.au offering compensation to affected consumers, and
- establish and implement a trade practices law compliance program.
"The power output can be a key consideration for consumers looking to buy a vacuum cleaner," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "Consumers are entitled to expect the power output shown on the packaging and promotional material is accurate."