Stronger product safety rules needed, including for online marketplaces

Reforms are needed to close gaps in Australia’s product safety framework to prevent unsafe goods from reaching and harming Australian consumers, with online marketplaces a particular concern, the ACCC says. The ACCC today responded to a designated complaint by consumer organisation CHOICE, which raised concerns that the growth in online marketplaces and online stores has outpaced Australia’s product safety framework. In its response, the ACCC agrees that the existing Australian Consumer Law has limitations regarding online marketplaces, which is leading to harm to consumers including children. The Federal Government has announced that Treasury will lead work to strengthen the product safety framework, including by improving mandatory injury reporting, strengthening penalties, and ensuring online marketplaces are subject to mandatory obligations. “Australian consumers should be able to trust that products they purchase are safe, including when they buy goods online. We currently face challenges where sellers are based overseas or the online marketplace is not the direct supplier, making it difficult to prevent unsafe products sold through online marketplaces from reaching consume...