The Abbott Government welcomes the constructive work of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the regulatory taskforce in reaching an agreement on the recall of electrical cable produced by Infinity Cables Co Pty Ltd.
Infinity cable does not represent an immediate threat to the health and safety of Australians.
A clear plan of action has been developed and agreed to see Infinity cable recalled and installation remediation carried out in the interests of consumer safety, before experts suggest that the cable will deteriorate.
There has been a lot of collaborative work going on behind the scenes and all parties involved should be congratulated for the way in which they have engaged in setting up the product recall and implementing a remediation plan in good faith.
Due to the work of the regulatory taskforce and the ACCC, a national mandatory recall is not considered necessary at this stage as the 18 national electrical retailers and wholesalers, who supplied 85% of the recalled electrical cable, have today voluntarily recalled Infinity cables after they failed electrical safety standards due to poor quality plastic insulation coating.
It is estimated around 40,000 households and businesses may have had Infinity cables supplied across the country except in the Northern Territory.
The relevant periods of cable supply are: 2010-2013 (in NSW), 2011-2013 (in ACT), 2012-2013 (in Vic, Qld, SA & WA) and in 2013 (in Tas).
Householders and businesses that have had electrical wiring work carried out during the relevant periods need to contact the responsible builder, electrical contractor or appliance installer to confirm whether Infinity cable was used.
The ACCC is leading the timely and coordinated national response for the 18 national suppliers. State and Territory authorities are implementing the recall and remediation processes for cable supplied by businesses operating solely within their jurisdictions.
Under the agreed plan, consumers will be protected and cable suppliers will be working with electricians, builders and contractors that installed Infinity cable.
For contact details relevant to each state and territory, visit the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission website.
The recall notice for the national recalls is available at the Product Safety Recalls Australia website.