To protect consumer confidence and young children from unsafe products, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has revealed four priority areas it plans to address this year.

ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said it is “critical” to minimise the risks posed by unsafe products.

“Addressing issues for young children, who are among the most vulnerable consumers, is our highest product safety priority.”

The regulator has plans to implement strategies to prevent injuries and deaths associated with infant sleep products including incline sleep products, bouncers, bassinets, cots and sleep aids.

“We’ll be conducting investigations into sleep products of highest concern and will take enforcement action where appropriate.”

Likewise, sustainability and product safety online has been prioritised since more consumers are increasingly shopping online.

“We’ll continue to encourage online platforms and suppliers to adopt best practices to prevent and detect the sale of unsafe goods as well as monitoring unsafe, non-compliant and banned products online using surveillance technology,” said Lowe.

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