- Consumer Protection product safety officers give showbags tick of approval
- 45 lucky schoolchildren get a sneak peek of the showbags today
- IGA Perth Royal Show is at Claremont Showground from September 22-29
Children will be spoilt for choice when more than 260 showbags go on sale at this year's Perth Royal Show, following a product safety tick of approval from Consumer Protection.
Each year, the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) invites Consumer Protection inspectors to conduct the pre-show checks, ensuring the showbags' toys and novelties meet Australian product safety regulations.
Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston joined RASWA President Paul Carter at Claremont Showground this morning to announce the safety inspection results, alongside 45 schoolchildren who had a sneak peek inside the bags.
Most of the 1,500 individual items across 238 showbags passed with flying colours. The other confectionery showbags did not require safety checks.
Minor issues were identified and rectified in some showbags; five cosmetic items were missing ingredient information and one toy required a projectile warning label.
Inspectors kept a close eye on button batteries, which can be dangerous to small children if swallowed or inhaled. All button batteries for the toys remained secure in their compartments after rigorous drop tests.
Consumer Protection also tested the levels of lead and other metal elements in the toys. The results showed these were absent or within acceptable levels set by Australian standards.
As stated by Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"The Perth Royal Show is set to deliver another outstanding week of entertainment and education for all ages, as the city connects with country Western Australia.
"It's very pleasing to see the majority of showbag suppliers have complied with product safety requirements, so parents can be assured the toys and other items are safe. However, adults must still ensure products are used safely and by the intended age group.
"Consumer Protection inspectors will also conduct on-site product safety checks at the show, and any suppliers who sell unsafe goods risk heavy fines."
