Law against selling unsafe products should be ‘done and dusted in 2019’, ACCC’s Sims says

ACCC boss Rod Sims says he’s never met a person who wasn’t “staggered” this law doesn’t exist. Here he reveals he expects it will be a reality in 2019. But businesses may not be happy.

Exclusive: The nation’s top consumer cop believes a law making it illegal to sell killer products could be a reality this year and the Federal Government has declared it will soon be “ready to act”.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Rod Sims told News Corp Australia that for the first time since he took the job in 2011 there was a strong prospect of overcoming business opposition and entrenching a general safety provision.

“It would be great to have this done and dusted in 2019 and I think it can be,” Mr Sims said.

Dangerous goods kill 780 people a year and injure tens of thousands, according to the first ever ACCC estimates.

The cost to the economy is put at $5 billion annually.

MORE: VicRoads lashed over Takata airbag safety

The time has come for a law against unsafe products, Rod Sims says. Picture: AAP

The UK has had general product safety regulations since 2005 while Canada passed laws in 2010, leading consumer advocates to say Australia has fallen behind comparable nations.

Mr Sims said that at a minimum, by Christmas there should at least be a Bill before federal parliament.

He said sentiment had shifted in favour of such a law change following high-profile recalls including Takata airbags and Samsung washing machines, as well as the banking royal commission.

Plus the recent Australian Consumer Law review had got people thinking about how to make the product safety system work better.

“It’s all coming together to drive the reform through,” he said.

“Had we tried to do it in earlier times I think the companies would have ran arguments that would have stopped this.”

The main complaint raised previously was it would put an excessive burden on smaller retailers.

Mr Sims said that was why the law the ACCC was seeking would only require “reasonable steps” to ensure goods aren’t dangerous.

From Choice’s button battery safety campaign. Source: Choice Australia

While Woolworths and Coles would have to check everything they sold, a corner store or small retailer may not have to.

It could potentially rely on the fact larger competitors had scrutinised the same products.

Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert, who has responsibility for consumer affairs within the Federal Government, said a regulatory impact statement was being prepared by Treasury, which he and state and territory consumer affairs ministers would consider.

“That’s the last piece of the puzzle that we are waiting on,” Mr Robert told News Corp Australia.

“As that is ready the government will be ready to act.”

That won’t happen before the federal election, likely in May.

The blow-up backyard pool can be deadly.

Labor’s consumer affairs spokeswoman Madeleine King said the Coalition had been too slow to act.

“Countless people have been at risk of dodgy products due to this government’s inaction and the Australian public deserve better,” Ms King said.

Mr Robert denied that claim: “There is no one doing nothing.”

Ms King said Labor wanted the regulatory impact statement made public “as a matter of urgency”.

It will include a cost-benefit analysis on making the change.

Mr Sims said: “I would be stunned if the costs were anywhere near the benefits.”

GOODS THAT ARE BAD

* Quad bikes kill 16 people a year in Australia, on average

* 1000 children end up in emergency departments annually after swallowing button batteries

* 2500 kids are injured each year due to furniture falling on them

* One child drowns in portable pools annually

* 200 people a year are treated for serious burns caused by hot water bottles

Sources: ACCC, Royal Life Saving Australia