Harris Scarfe Australia Pty Ltd will upgrade its compliance with safety standards after selling children's nightwear which did not meet the mandatory consumer product safety standard.
Harris Scarfe, with outlets in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, sold 1,860 terry towelling children's dressing gowns, labelled as Low Fire Risk and described as Strictly Sleep by RJN, Style B42021.
The garment was identified by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission staff during a routine product safety survey in May 2005 and tested by an independent testing authority. The test results indicated that the garment failed to comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS1249:1999 Children's nightwear and limited daywear having reduced fire hazard. Upon being notified, Harris Scarfe immediately conducted a public recall.
The supplier, RJN Australia Pty Ltd, which imported the garments from China, has more recently conducted a second recall as part of a court-enforceable undertaking it gave the ACCC.
Harris Scarfe will implement a rigorous compliance training program for relevant staff, with a focus on product safety issues. Further, it has implemented a stricter compliance certification regime with its suppliers.
"All wholesalers and retailers should take note that proper compliance systems can prevent such dangerous incidents, and the associated cost of conducting recalls", ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "Ensuring compliance with mandatory standards must be regarded as a fundamental part of the retailing process.
"The ACCC takes the safety of children very seriously and expects that both suppliers and retailers will take their responsibilities to their customers just as seriously.
"The compliance programs now implemented by RJN and Harris Scarfe will go some way to ensuring that the products they supply in the future are safe for consumers", Mr Samuel said.