A report of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s activities
There is a serious defect in every unit of six models of Samsung top-loading washing machines that may cause, and has caused, electrical fires leading to property loss
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- 42.Emerging hazards
- The total number of mandatory reports for this period was 315.
There is a serious defect in every unit of six models of Samsung top-loading washing machines that may cause, and has caused, electrical fires leading to property loss.The ACCC continues to monitor the recall of the faulty Samsung washing machines, which is led by the NSW electrical safety regulator. As at 22 December 2015 the recall was approximately 69 percent complete with 99 404 of 144 451 machines repaired, replaced or refunded. Samsung implemented a new awareness campaign over the holiday period which has improved consumer awareness of the recall.Clear ACCC advice about consumer rights in relation to the faulty machines has helped consumers seek their choice of remedy.Infinity electrical cable recall A national recall is underway to remediate up to 22 000 premises that have been installed with approximately 3 900 km of substandard Infinity electrical cable.The ACCC continues to be concerned about the low rate of remediation of the recalled cable; only 38 per cent of Infinity cable that was supplied by the Infinity Cable Company has been remediated, recovered or scheduled for remediation.The ACCC has coordinated a refreshed communication campaign to target the electrical and building industry which will start in January 2016. An information bulletin will be sent to every licensed electrician and electrical contractor in Australia, warning electricians of potential regulatory enforcement or liability for damages due to inaction on the recall.42.Emerging hazardsMandatory safety reports The ACCC receives mandatory safety reports from suppliers, which are assessed directly or referred to a specialist regulatory agency for assessment. During the December quarter the ACCC received 688 mandatory reports; 305 related to consumer products and were assessed by the ACCC and 333 were referred to other agencies. Of the referred reports 309 related to food matters to be dealt with by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), with the remaining 24 referred to other regulators such as the electrical regulators, motor vehicle standards regulators and gas appliance regulators.Table 7: Mandatory reports—assessment by jurisdiction October - December 2015
Action on emerging safety hazards The total number of mandatory reports for this period was 315.During the quarter the ACCC also conducted hazard assessments of product reports; 241 were received and of this 202 were assessed and 39 remain to be assessed.Emerging safety hazard—Button Batteries Ingestion of button batteries can lead to serious internal injuries and death. In Australia two children have died from button battery injuries and an estimated 20 children visit an emergency department each week due to a swallowed or inserted button battery.On Tuesday 3 November 2015 the Queensland Coroner released the findings of the inquest into the death of Summer Steer who died after ingesting a button battery. The Coroner recommended the regulation of button batteries and button battery powered consumer products. The ACCC is preparing a response to the Coroner.The ACCC is continuing to work with stakeholders to raise awareness of the hazard and to improve packaging and labelling of relevant consumer products. The ACCC is also assisting industry to prepare a guide for suppliers.The ACCC met with other Australian Consumer Law regulators in December and agreed to lead development of a national button battery safety strategy.Emerging safety hazard—Hoverboards The ACCC and state and territory electrical regulators have worked together to identify faulty and dangerous hoverboards and recall them from sale where appropriate.The ACCC alerted the public to possible safety hazards associated with using hoverboards in early December. The ACCC is also working with state and territory electrical regulators to assess the electrical and safety risks associated with hoverboards.Product Safety risk assessments The ACCC uses a risk-based approach to assess reports as representing extremely low, very low, low, moderate, significant, high and very high safety hazards.Table 8 illustrates reports received in the quarter by hazard severity. Reports considered to be moderate, low, very low and extremely low risk amounted to 434. These are commonly allergic reactions to cosmetics, household cleaning products, baby products, chemicals in clothing and other injuries such as burns, lacerations, fractures and electric shock. The most common types of injuries occur from products such as cosmetics and toiletries, glass breaking, sharp kitchen utensils, bikes, electrical tools, furniture and toys.Table 8: Product safety risk assessments October – December 2015
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