Product safety and information

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ACL Part 3-3 permits Commonwealth safety standards for consumer goods and product-related services. Manufacturing, possessing for supply, supplying or offering non-compliant goods or services may create civil and criminal consequences. Product-safety regulation is a public-law regime distinct from private consumer-guarantee remedies.

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Interim bans may be imposed by Commonwealth, State or Territory ministers for up to 60 days and may be extended once for a further 60 days. Permanent bans are made at Commonwealth level. Compliance is required from commencement rather than after an individual warning.

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Recalls may be voluntary or compulsory and can require repair, replacement or refund. A supplier commencing a voluntary recall must notify the Commonwealth Minister within two days. Safety warning notices alert the public while investigation or further regulatory action occurs and are different from a ban or recall.

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A supplier that becomes aware of a death or serious injury or illness associated with consumer goods or product-related services must report within two days. Information standards prescribe required information for goods or services and, unlike the safety-standard provisions, are not confined in exactly the same way to consumer goods.