The Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Rod Sims says the Commission plans to look into the safety standards of quad bikes during 2021, in particular the implementation of important safety requirements.
Mr Sims said the investigation would include preparing consumers and businesses for mandatory requirements that operator-protection devices be introduced in October.
Speaking at the National Consumer Congress, Mr Sims said the ACCC’s five product safety priorities for 2021 included conducting education, surveillance and enforcement in relation to the Quad Bike Safety Standard.
“There were a record 23 quad bike deaths last year, many from roll-overs, and since 2011 there have been 162 deaths and an estimated six injuries per day associated with quad bikes,” Mr Sims said.
“This is appalling and unacceptable!”
He said the ACCC would also be focused on helping businesses prepare for new standards for dealing with button batteries.
“The world-first standards for button batteries will improve safety in the design of products containing button batteries, the packaging of button batteries, as well as the warning requirements alerting consumers to the risks,” Mr Sims said.
“Implementing strategies to reduce the risk of unsafe infant sleeping products and scoping effective risk controls for toppling furniture are also product safety priorities for 2021,” he said.
The Chair of the Commission also said there would be an emphasis on strengthening product safety online.
“eBay Australia, Amazon Australia, AliExpress and Catch.com.au signed the Australian Product Safety Pledge in November 2020, in which they committed to do more to protect consumers from unsafe products than are required by the current law,” Mr Sims said.
“The ACCC will monitor online compliance commitments recently given by four of Australia’s largest online marketplaces,” he said.
