Socrates Enterprises Pty Ltd, trading as Socrates for curious minds, have issued a voluntary national recall* of a product called the Giggling toy after an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation.
"Socrates have also agreed to display notices in-store and on its website to warn parents of the potential dangers of the Giggling toy and offered full refunds to consumers," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said.
The Giggling toy is a wooden teddy bear head with a rattle and dummy attached, which was marketed for ages '10 months+'.**
The toy was offered for sale from 4 January 2006 until 23 February 2007 in Socrates' stores across Australia. During that time Socrates sold 612 Giggling toys.
The recall was undertaken after the ACCC raised concerns with Socrates that the toy dummy and ring attached by a string to the Giggling toy was a potential choking hazard.
The ACCC believed the Giggling toy had failed to comply with the mandatory consumer product safety standard for toys for children 36 months and under***.
The Giggling toy had been sourced from an overseas manufacturer for exclusive sale at Socrates stores.
During the investigation, Socrates co-operated with the ACCC and agreed to take a number of remedial steps proposed by the ACCC. Socrates have also committed to review internal systems for testing products to ensure compliance with Australian standards.
Mr Samuel said when selling toys specifically for use by children under three years, suppliers and retailers must ensure products do not contain choking hazards.
"If a product fails a product safety test then a supplier must take appropriate steps to ensure that its products are not sold to consumers and organise a voluntary recall.
"Companies which respond constructively to ACCC concerns and co-operate by providing suitable remedies to consumers can expect an appropriate enforcement response. However, companies which refuse to carry out necessary remedial steps can expect an uncompromising stance from the ACCC."
The ACCC's website, provides links to important information on safety standards and product liability.