By Charlene Gatt
HUNDREDS of dangerous children’s nightwear items have been seized by Consumer Affairs inspectors for failing to meet product safety labelling requirements.
The items were seized from stores in Footscray, Brunswick, Camberwell, Coburg, Dandenong, Hawthorn, Preston and Reservoir after Consumer Affairs inspectors visited 46 retailers last month to check children’s nightwear being sold in compliance with mandatory standards.
“More than 370 items of children’s nightwear – including pyjamas and jumpsuits – were seized after failing to display the required fire danger label, either by having the label incorrectly worded and displayed or failing to include any label at all,” Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O’Brien said.
The seizures were part of national surveillance efforts around product safety.
Children’s nightwear requires specific labelling to warn that the material is flammable.
The type of warning a nightwear item must carry depends on the type of fabric used in the nightwear.
“While no nightwear is fireproof, adequate labelling ensures that parents and carers are aware of the level of risk when purchasing products,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This seizure shows that unfortunately some traders still do not understand product safety standards.
“These standards are in place to protect families and the community and breaching them brings serious consequences.”
Under Australian Consumer Law, a supplier who fails to comply with a mandatory safety standard can face fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a body corporate.
Consumer Affairs is currently making further enquiries about the source of the seized products.
