This World Consumer Rights Day (Safe products, Confident consumers), we’re putting a spotlight on the importance of protecting Victorians from unsafe products.

While you were shopping, we were working to make sure the products you take home are safe.

In 2024–25, we checked 914 stores across Victoria. When we found problems, we acted:

• 16 infringements issued
• 169 official warnings
• 49 businesses removed unsafe products from sale
• Thousands of unsafe products taken off shelves.

The biggest culprit? Button batteries.

We sometimes see comments like: 'Just don’t swallow the batteries — it’s fine.'

The reality is very different.

Around 20 Australian children each week present to emergency departments with suspected button battery ingestion. Up to two dozen children each year suffer serious, lifelong injuries. Since 2013, three children have died. We do not want to lose another life.

Our inspectors removed:

• light-up shoe charms with unsecured button batteries
• fairy wands and headbands with accessible batteries
• unsafe toys and baby rattles at the Panda Mart Cranbourne opening – thousands of items seized in a single inspection.

During the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show, we checked 320 showbags, ensuring 15 unsafe items were removed or modified before families bought them.

Inspectors also seized 100 yo-yo balls, which are permanently banned in Australia because they pose a strangulation risk, especially to children.

In January, we launched criminal proceedings against Panda Mart Cranbourne after multiple products allegedly failed to meet mandatory safety and information standards. And this month we warned consumers about both Panda Mart stores as they continue to stock dangerous items, including candles that are banned in Australia because they may cause serious burns.

World Consumer Rights Day is a reminder that product safety is not optional.

We take a zero-tolerance approach to risks posed to children.

If you run a business, it is your responsibility to understand and comply with product safety laws. Being unaware of the rules is not an excuse.

Under Australian Consumer Law, maximum penalties for supplying banned or non-compliant goods are $2.5 million for individuals and $50 million for companies.

If you’ve seen or purchased a product you believe is unsafe, report it to us.