car parts supplier

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 10:07

Major car parts supplier, retailers pay penalties for alleged breaches of button battery standard Featured

By Gordon Peters

Car parts suppliers and retailers Repco, Supercheap Auto and Innovative Mechatronics Group (IMG), an automotive electrical parts supplier, have each paid penalties after the competition watchdog ACCC issued them with infringement notices for supplying aftermarket car key remotes that allegedly breached warning requirements for products powered by button batteries.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued four infringement notices to IMG in relation to four different models of Mechatronic Auto Parts branded replacement car key remotes supplied by IMG to Repco and Supercheap Auto that allegedly failed to include the required safety warning labels about the hazards associated with button batteries. IMG paid $59,640 in penalties.

The ACCC also issued two infringement notices to each of Repco and Supercheap Auto for supplying two types of car key remote products to consumers - with Repco and Supercheap Auto paying $33,000 and $26,640, respectively, in penalties.

The ACCC notes that mandatory safety and information standards were introduced in Australia in June 2022, following significant injuries and the death of three children caused by button batteries - and the information standard requires warning information and safety advice to be displayed on packaging and batteries.

“While the packaging of the car key remotes supplied by IMG and sold to consumers by Repco and Supercheap Auto featured a QR code that linked to a website that contained a warning symbol and information about button batteries, the ACCC considered this did not meet the requirements of the mandatory information standard,” the ACCC said.

“Button batteries are incredibly dangerous for young children. All businesses, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, involved in the supply chain for button batteries or products powered by them must comply with the mandatory safety and information standards to help keep Australian children safe,” ACCC Acting Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“The mandatory button battery information standards were introduced to prevent serious injuries and death by requiring clear safety warning labels on product packaging so consumers are alert to the dangers of button batteries. Requiring consumers to take an extra step to access this vital information is not acceptable in our view.

“Car key remotes and fobs are everyday household items that are tempting toys for young children, and frequently within their reach. These types of products must have explicit and clearly visible warnings.

“We urge parents and caregivers to check the home for unsecured or loose button batteries and to keep products containing them away from young children. Products that were purchased before the mandatory standards were introduced in June 2022 should be thoroughly examined,” Lowe advised.

The ACCC advises that consumers who purchased an Innovative Mechatronics Group car key remote can check to see if it’s been recalled on the Product Safety website

In guidance for businesses and consumers the ACCC notes that button batteries are small, round and shiny and can be appealing to young children to swallow - and when ingested, a chemical reaction occurs that can have catastrophic outcomes, including serious injury to vital organs or death.

“If swallowed, a button battery can cause catastrophic injuries in as little as two hours,” the ACCC warns.

“If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, contact the 24/7 Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for fast, expert advice. Prompt action is critical, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Serious injury can occur in as little as two hours and the results can be fatal.

“The ACCC strongly encourages consumers to report product safety incidents to the supplier and to report product safety concerns or near misses to the ACCC through the Product Safety Australia website. We also encourage consumers to check the list of recalled products on the Product Safety website.”

The ACCC has published a fact sheet and guide for businesses on the mandatory standards to assist businesses with meeting their obligations.

Four mandatory button battery standards operate in Australia to reduce the risk of death and injury associated with their use.

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