NSW Fair Trading is targeting dodgy dealers in the lead up to Christmas with its annual inspection for dangerous toys and decorations underway.
Announced by the Minister for Fair Trading, Victor Dominello, Fair Trading inspectors are visiting retail outlets and pop-up traders in shopping centres across the State, focusing on businesses with a history of selling non-compliant toys.
“The number one focus of NSW Fair Trading this Christmas is to keep children safe by removing dangerous toys from sale, which is why our inspectors are combing the market for toys and other products which could cause harm,” Mr Dominello said.
“We find the majority of non-compliant toys are manufactured overseas and imported directly into the country by either retailers or wholesalers,” he said.
“Retailers have a responsibility to ensure their products do not cause injury to children.”
Mr Dominello said individuals found to have breached mandatory safety standards by selling dangerous or non-compliant toys could be fined up to $500,000, while corporations could face fines of up to $10 million.
He said despite the pandemic preventing many inspections last year, the 2021 pre-Christmas checks saw NSW Fair Trading visit 203 traders and inspect 840 individual products targeted at children with eight dangerous toys identified and removed from shelves.
“Toys which are considered dangerous include those where removable button batteries aren’t properly fitted with a child resistant cover and secured by a locking device or when small parts present a choking hazard,” the Minister said.
“Toys or puzzles which contain small, high-powered magnets could also be lethal to children if swallowed and are banned from sale, while projectile toys have the potential to cause significant eye injuries and should have adult supervision,” he said.
Further information on the safety of children’s products and toys can be accessed on the Fair Trading website at this PS News link.
