Compulsory recalls

Either a State/Territory Minister or the Commonwealth Minister can issue a compulsory recall notice for consumer goods. This can require the supplier (or, if the supplier cannot be found, the ACCC or State/Territory regulator) to take certain action. 

Voluntary recalls

Voluntary recalls occur when manufacturers and distributors act promptly, on their own initiative, to remove or rectify unsafe products that have been sold to the public.

If you organise a voluntary recall of defective goods, you must notify the Commonwealth Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs of the recall action within 2 days of such action being taken, this can be done through the recalls website www.recalls.gov.au Materials on these procedures is available on the recalls website.

The Director General may also order traders or suppliers to conduct a mandatory recall where a product is shown to be defective or of a kind that may cause death or injury.

Contacts

NSW Commissioner for Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
Tel: 9895 0111

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
c/o: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
PO Box 1199
Dickson ACT 2602
Fax: 6243 1073
Website: www.accc.gov.au

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