The Perth Royal Show is a highlight on WA's calendar, and Consumer Protection is helping keep families safe through targeted inspections of toys and novelty items.
- Product Safety inspectors to monitor showbags and stalls
- Families reminded to stay vigilant around toys and prizes
- Button batteries, cosmetics, projectile toys and pyjamas of particular concern
The Perth Royal Show is a highlight on WA's calendar, and Consumer Protection is helping keep families safe through targeted inspections of toys and novelty items.
At the 2024 Show, product safety inspectors conducted 42 inspections, assessing 121 items from showbags and sideshow alley stalls. Disappointingly, 19 products failed to comply with mandatory safety standards - matching the number of unsafe items identified in 2023.
Examples of non-compliant products included:
- Light-up animal hats, head bands, balloons and shoe charms missing correct button battery warnings;
- Face gems, tooth whitening kits and stick-on nails without ingredient lists;
- Fleece pyjamas and onesies lacking required fire hazard labels;
- Sunglasses missing lens category information; and
- An archery set sold without mandatory projectile toy warnings.
As a result, stallholders received eight formal warnings and four infringement notices, amounting to $15,840 in penalties. This marks a slight shift from 2023, when nine warnings and two infringement notices were issued.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake confirmed that product safety officers would once again be attending this year's event to check stallholders were doing the right thing.
"The Perth Royal Show is fantastic event for families and it's vital that the products on offer - especially those for children - are safe not just on the day, but when they're taken home," Ms Blake said.
"Inspectors will be walking through the venue ahead of opening day to give stallholders a final chance to fix or remove any potentially non-compliant products. Once the Show begins, there are no second chances - formal warnings and infringement notices will be issued.
"They'll be monitoring high-risk items, including products containing deadly button batteries, ensuring projectile toys carry mandatory safety warnings, and checking that novelty items like cosmetics and face-paint display proper ingredient labels."
Traders found to be non-compliant may receive formal warnings or on-the-spot infringement notices, with penalties ranging from $1,320 for individuals to $6,600 for companies.
When issuing warnings or fines, Consumer Protection considers the potential for injury or harm, the severity of non-compliance, such as instances where multiple unsafe items are being sold, and the trader's compliance history. Stallholders who have previously been educated or warned are more likely to receive an infringement.
Ms Blake expressed concern over some ongoing non-compliance with button battery safety standards at last year's Show.
"There's simply no excuse for stallholders to be carrying non-compliant stock, given the button battery information and mandatory standards have been in effect since mid-2022," she said.
"Alongside our inspections, parents are encouraged to carefully check toys and prizes before giving them to children - especially those that flash or make noise, as they likely contain button batteries.
"A simple drop-test can help identify loose components. Any unsafe items should be returned to the stallholder for a refund."
The Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) is working closely with Consumer Protection and Show stallholders to ensure the safety of all attendees.
"Our priority is ensuring the Perth Royal Show is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone," said Robyn Sermon, RASWA Chief Executive Officer.
"We work closely with Consumer Protection and stallholders to make sure products on sale meet the required safety standards. By setting clear expectations for vendors and banning unsafe items, we're committed to giving families confidence that their time at the Show is both fun and safe."
For more information on button battery safety and how to report non-compliant items, please visit the Product Safety website
