The Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Kelly O'Dwyer today announced the national interim ban on hoverboards that do not meet safety standards is to be extended.
The interim ban was imposed in March after advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that hoverboards that do not meet safety standards create an imminent risk of death or serious injury.
The interim ban will now continue until 16 June 2016.
“Extending the interim ban will protect consumers while the ACCC continues to investigate and consider future action to ensure only electrically safe hoverboards are supplied in Australia,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
Consumers who have hoverboards are reminded to follow three simple safety steps:
- Check if the hoverboard is recalled at www.recalls.gov.au.
- If it is not recalled, contact your retailer to check if it meets safety standards; and
- Until confirmed safe, stop using and charging your hoverboard.
“The ACCC has advised that six house fires in Australia have been directly linked to hoverboards resulting in the destruction of three homes,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
“If a hoverboard does not meet the safety requirements, retailers are unable to sell the hoverboard during the interim ban period.
“The ACCC, state and territory consumer affairs agencies, and electrical safety regulators are monitoring online sellers and inspecting hoverboards at stores to ensure that hoverboards sold to consumers comply with the interim ban.”
Consumers, retailers and suppliers can find information about how the ban affects them and further information on the ACCC website.