This is not the first time that a mass retailer has been caught out with stock that did not apply, one mass retailer is known to have “off loaded” hundreds of TV’s that did not have a fire retardant approved back.
In the latest case the retailer who has been “desperate” to grow their house brand range used a Brisbane based supplier who sourced the stock from Chinese manufacturers who use child labour and non-compliant chemicals as part of their manufacturing process.
For example RoHS is a European Union product directive which applies to electronics manufactured within the EU, or imported from other countries. Several Australian retailers including Aldi, Woolworths and Wesfarmers who own Officeworks, Kmart and Target apply the RoHS standard when importing goods into Australia.
Verifying a supplier’s compliance is critical before placing an order, in the case of the Australian mass retailer who is now dumping stock they discovered that several goods sourced from Chinese factories did not comply when it came to the use of plastics and battery make up.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) is a European Union product certification standard that limits the usage of certain substances (mainly heavy metals) in electronics. The restricted substances are listed below:
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
These restricted substances are found in a variety of materials and products such as solder, PVC, paint, batteries and metallic parts.
ChannelNews knows who this retailer is but chose not to reveal their name, as they have moved to clear their stores of the substandard stock.
What we are concerned about is the stock now being sold via online Deal Of The Day sites.
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