The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken its first product standards action.
The ACCC has filed an information in the Adelaide Federal Court alleging that Nordic Lust Pty Ltd, trading as City Pro Sport & Fitness, had supplied a York 2500 exercise cycle which did not comply with the mandatory consumer product safety standard for exercise cycles.
This is the first prosecution under the product standards provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 since the responsibility for their enforcement was transferred from the Federal Bureau of Consumer Affairs to the ACCC on 1 July 1995.
The mandatory standard was gazetted on 19 October 1994 and came into effect on 1 June 1995. It is based on Australian Standard 4092 1993 Exercise Cycles Safety Requirements. It is intended to reduce injuries to children such as crushing or amputation of fingers.
The information alleges that the exercise cycle has inadequate guards and has two points at which a child's finger could be permanently injured.
A directions hearing will be held in Adelaide on 14 February 1996.
