Child injured by button batteriesFamily photo

Button batteries – what can be done? Plenty.

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…
shareholders and product safetyVelliton via Depositphotos

Shareholders and product safety

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…
Associations and product safety

Associations and product safety

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…

Product safety panel discussion – Part 1

National Consumer Congress 2019 held in Melbourne, 14 March 2019 This is Part 1 of the product safety panel discussion transcript from the 2019 national consumer congress. The full audio recording is available on podcast. The safety…

Product safety panel discussion – Part 2

National Consumer Congress 2019 held in Melbourne, 14 March 2019 This is Part 2 of the product safety panel discussion transcript from the 2019 national consumer congress. The full audio recording is available on podcast. Moderator…

Product safety panel discussion – Part 3

National Consumer Congress 2019 held in Melbourne, 14 March 2019 This is Part 3 of the product safety panel discussion transcript from the 2019 national consumer congress. The full audio recording is available on podcast. In this…

Product safety panel discussion – Part 4

National Consumer Congress 2019 held in Melbourne, 14 March 2019 This is Part 4 of the product safety panel discussion transcript from the 2019 national consumer congress. The full audio recording is available on podcast. In this…
Care labelling standard
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Do we really need to regulate garment care labelling?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has asked whether to keep, modify or revoke the mandatory standard for care labelling of apparel and household textiles. I support revocation, as I believe having a regulation for garment…
Button battery gold star

Button batteries – what good businesses are doing

Despite some good efforts, the rate of serious injuries in Australia from kids swallowing button batteries is not going down. Some estimates are at one per month, which is a shocking statistic. In my blog article: Button batteries -…
Matt Smith ICIX podcast

Product safety podcast – Interview with Matthew Smith

Interview with Matt Smith, President and Founder of supply chain transparency company ICIX How do you know what’s in your products? Which companies are supplying the component parts? Who’s provided them with the raw materials?…