Australia Urged to Strengthen Product Safety Laws Amid Online Marketplace Concerns
Why Australia needs stronger laws to stop dangerous products being sold online

Image: The Conversation
Australia's consumer advocacy group Choice has filed a complaint with the ACCC, urging an investigation into dangerous products sold online. The country lacks a general safety provision in its consumer laws, unlike the EU and other nations, which could lead to increased risks for consumers. Stronger regulations are needed to ensure product safety.
- 01Choice's complaint highlights a significant number of dangerous products available on online marketplaces in Australia.
- 02The ACCC has issued takedown notices to major platforms like Amazon and eBay for selling banned items, but existing laws are insufficient.
- 03Australia only has mandatory safety standards for 50 product categories, often reacting to incidents rather than preventing them.
- 04Online platforms argue they are merely intermediaries, complicating liability for unsafe products.
- 05Stronger laws, including a general safety provision, are needed to protect Australian consumers effectively.
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The independent consumer advocacy group Choice has lodged a 'super' complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), urging an investigation into the sale of dangerous products on online marketplaces. The ACCC must respond within 90 days. This complaint follows the ACCC's recent actions against platforms like Amazon and eBay for selling items that violate Australian safety laws. Currently, Australia lacks a general safety provision in its consumer laws, which would require businesses to ensure that only safe products are sold. In contrast, the European Union and several other countries have implemented such measures for decades. The absence of comprehensive regulations means that regulators often only act after incidents occur, as seen with button batteries, which became regulated only after serious injuries. Additionally, online platforms often evade liability by claiming they are not the sellers of products. To enhance consumer safety, experts advocate for stronger laws in Australia, including revisiting product liability provisions and establishing a general safety requirement.
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The lack of stringent product safety laws increases the risk of consumers purchasing dangerous items online, potentially leading to injuries.
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