ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE SAFETY

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:12): I seek leave to make a very brief explanation, much briefer than did the previous member, before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about a recent product recall.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: In South Australia the Office of the Technical Regulator is the regulatory body that monitors and enforces the compliance of electrical appliances with safety and technical standards. The Electrical Products Act 2000 administered by the OTR proclaims that electrical appliances with a high safety risk must be safety tested before they can be sold. My question to the minister is: will the minister inform us of any recent action taken to ensure consumer safety around electrical appliances this winter?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his most important question, and I take this opportunity to remind members that, given that the cold weather is on us again, no doubt many consumers will be turning to their electric blankets for warmth. In South Australia the Office of the Technical Regulator (the OTR) monitors and enforces the compliance of electrical appliances with safety and technical standards under the Electrical Products Act 2000.

The act proclaims that electrical appliances with a high safety risk must be safety tested before they can be sold. These proclaimed appliances include electric blankets, so it is an offence to sell or offer for hire a proclaimed electric product that does not have the necessary safety approval. Electrical appliances that are deemed unsafe can be recalled and removed from sale by the OTR under the act.

Most product suppliers, including manufacturers and importers, initiate a voluntary recall for unsafe products. However the OTR can impose a compulsory recall if a product is unsafe and, in particular, if no action is taken by the supplier. Last year the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) received a complaint concerning a Linda electric blanket, which had burned a bed sheet that was placed over the electric blanket.

OCBA subsequently identified several incidents with Linda electric blankets, and on 3 May 2010 they recalled the blankets from sale. The Office of the Technical Regulator initiated action in South Australia and advised electrical safety regulators around Australia of that particular recall action. This then resulted in a national recall of these particular blankets. The supplier, GSM, advised consumers that a replacement controller would be provided. This particular remedy was accepted by the authorities, and GSM was then advised to have the issue rectified by winter 2011.

The original recall advised consumers that specific models of Linda electric blankets posed the 'possibility of electric shock or electrocution in instances where there is a severe bend in the electrical supply lead located at the connector to the blanket, the potential risk exists for an electrical short to occur'. I can advise that the recall was reissued last month as a result of the ACCC's administrative follow-up of the original national recall. The recall of electric blankets provides a timely reminder that heating products need to be checked regularly, so consumers are encouraged to call OCBA or use its website to report on any other complaints related to products and services.