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Retailer H&M hit with six-figure fine over kids’ clothes safety risks
Australia's consumer watchdog has hit the Swedish-owned retailer with a $138,600 fine for failing meet requirements on kids' nightwear.
- Australia’s consumer watchdog has hit fashion retailer H&M with a $138,600 fine for failing meet requirements on kids’ nightwear.
- The ACCC alleges the retailer sold more than 4,000 items of children’s clothing that did not comply with consumer law.
- The clothing was allegedly sold without labels that stated whether the pyjamas were “low” or “high” fire danger.
Retail juggernaut H&M has been hit with a six-figure fine by Australia’s consumer watchdog for failing to provide the correct labels on more than 4,000 items of children’s clothing.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today said the retailer paid $138,600 in penalties after it was found to have sold children’s pyjamas that did not have labels specifying the fire risk.
Under Australian Consumer Law, children’s nightwear must carry a fire hazard label that specifies whether the item is “high fire danger” or “low fire danger”.
The ACCC said some of the products had no labels attached, while others had a label that did not meet the required standard.
“While the products complied with the flammability requirements of the standard, their failure to carry the required warning labels to alert consumers to the dangers is a serious matter,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Without the correct labelling, parents or carers may have been unaware of the severity of the risk to children wearing these garments and being close to heat or flame.
“This creates an unacceptable risk of serious injuries to children.”
Among the 4,473 products sold were pyjamas, dressing gowns, poncho towels and onesies.
H&M Australia issued recall notices for the products on three separate occasions.
Lowe said the expectation was on suppliers, not the regulator, to ensure their products meet the standards required to be sold in Australia.
“We expect suppliers to be aware of their product safety obligations and ensure that they fully comply with these obligations, including by ensuring their products come with all required safety warnings,” she said.
“This includes having adequate systems in place to ensure compliance.”
Consumers who purchased the affected items have been urged to stop using them and return them to their nearest H&M store, no receipt required.
H&M Australia is part of a global chain of retailers owned by Swedish clothing company H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB.
In Australia, it operates 32 retail stores as well as an online store.
The Money Edition has contacted H&M Australia for comment.
Topics: Consumer, Consumer rights, Product recall, Retail