Target Australia and Baby Bunting have been fined close to $65,000 for selling and marketing unsafe convertible strollers.
Between at least May 2015 and June 2018, Baby Bunting and Target sold a range of convertible strollers which were marketed as safe to be used as strollers for transporting babies and young children, but did not comply with the mandatory safety standard for prams and strollers.
“The design of these products and the way they were marketed by Target and Baby Bunting gave consumers the misleading impression they could be safely used as strollers, including to transport babies,” says ACCC deputy chair, Delia Rickard.
“It is vital all prams and strollers, including products that can convert into something else, comply with the relevant safety standards.
“Mandatory safety standards for prams and strollers exist to keep babies and toddlers safe. Businesses need to take their responsibilities under these standards very seriously and ensure every product they sell complies. If they don’t, they should expect strong ACCC action.”
Both Target and baby Bunting have paid their penalties of $37,800 and $25,200 respectively and have agreed to stop selling the products unless they meet all relevant mandatory safety standards and have each undertaken to strengthen their consumer law compliance programs.
The ACCC’s enforcement action follows a market-wide review of convertible tricycle/stroller products that found many were designed and marketed to be used as strollers but did not have key safety features including parking brakes, tether straps and suitable harnesses. After engagement with industry, these products were withdrawn from sale at major retailers.
