5 minute read In many ways 2007 was a gamechanger. It was my job to help keep children safe, but toys became so hazardous we nearly had to cancel Christmas. It was also the year I began writing my first novel. World attention That year I represented Australia at the first ever consumer product safety […]
3 minute read We will shortly see the retirement of a veteran consumer product safety colleague. I’d like to pay tribute to Martin Rushton, who has been the mainstay of New Zealand’s product safety agency for around 15 years. (He was due to leave a few weeks ago, but has stayed on due to New […]
5 minute read There’s three things that mark out button batteries as a critical product safety hazard – the severity of the injuries, the ongoing rate of those injuries and the breadth of exposure to the product. Swallowing a button battery can be catastrophic. Many deaths have occurred around the world, including two in Australia. […]
3 minute read Keeping the family safe in isolation When kids are stuck indoors, they can get creative in how they keep themselves entertained. This article highlights three known hazards around the home that parents and carers need to watch out for. Magnetic toys Toys with small high-powered magnets are banned in Australia, because children […]
4 minute read In a first for product safety, a new documentary exposes the story of how everyday household products can present unacceptable hazards. Episode 3 of the new US Netflix ‘docuseries’, Broken, titled Deadly Dressers, examines furniture tip-overs that have killed and injured young children. It chronicles how changes to the way furniture is […]
3 minute read What changes are needed in Australian consumer policy to improve product safety? A Treasury consultation paper discussing a series of options to improve the current consumer product safety system is currently out for comment. Responses are open til 30 November. Options range from retaining the status quo, to introducing a comprehensive requirement […]
4-minute read A few questions have been raised on the actual danger posed by small and medium button batteries. Some misconceptions have been circulating about: how dangerous they are, how the body responds, and the type of treatment needed if ingested or inserted. Button batteries can cause serious injuries if swallowed, and we know that […]
Much more can be done in the immediate term to address the hazard presented by button batteries, as listed below. But let’s start with some background. There’s no doubt that the button battery hazard is a complex problem. However it is relatively straightforward to fix the product side. Introducing a mandatory standard (or ban) would […]
KPMG Australia has today released a report on what motivates retail shareholders in the context of declining trust in corporate businesses: Shareholder value: Shareholder values. The report notes that while the desire for better transparency and higher standards of honesty is well-established when it comes to customers, regulators and institutional investors, this new research confirms […]
Product safety is a vital aspect of any consumer goods business. Businesses should manage product safety without relying on governments to intervene. And business and industry associations have a key role to play. Business and industry associations exist to help members succeed and protect their interests. All associations should have a policy and measures in […]