Supercheap Auto, Repco, and Innovative Mechatronics Group (IMG) each paid penalties for allegedly failing to comply with warning requirements for button battery-powered products.

IMG paid $59,640 in penalties after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued the company four infringement notices for allegedly not including safety warning labels about button battery hazards in four branded replacement car key remotes it supplied to Repco and Supercheap Auto.

Repco paid $33,000 while Supercheap Auto paid $26,640 after each of them received two infringement notices for supplying two types of car key remote products to consumers.

Australia started requiring the display of warning information and safety advice on packaging and batteries in June 2022 after witnessing several injuries and the death of three children due to button batteries.

“Car key remotes and fobs are everyday household items that are tempting toys for young children, and frequently within their reach. These types of products must have explicit and clearly visible warnings,” said ACCC acting chair Catriona Lowe.

“The mandatory button battery information standards were introduced to prevent serious injuries and death by requiring clear safety warning labels on product packaging so consumers are alert to the dangers of button batteries.”

Lowe urged parents and caregivers to keep products containing button batteries away from children and reminded that products purchased before June 2022 should be examined thoroughly.