" Pussy Footing " !

Many Australian consumers will be disgusted to learn that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is " negotiating " a voluntary recall of an estimated 50,000 items of clothing which pose a cancer risk to users.  Many of the big names in clothing apparel and the major retailers are involved and it seems that this health risk is way down the list of priorities.

The problem is that what are called " Azo dyes " have been used to colour this clothing and the chemicals involved  are known to release carcinogenic residue which can be absorbed through the skin.  In particular, the danger is sharply advanced if the clothing is in direct contact with the skin of the person wearing this apparel.

Azo dyes are prohibited in the United States and the European Union, and have been for a long time.  They face no legal restrictions in Australia - and citizens have a right to ask - why ?

It stands to reason that clothing manufacturers who suddenly find their product banned in the major US and European markets quickly look for a safe dumping ground where lax controls allow them to recoup manufacturing costs and clear factory output.    Usually this applies to third world countries, but it seems that the very people tasked with keeping Australia free of dangerous goods are not up to the task.

" Negotiating  a voluntary recall " sounds very like " pussy footing " to delay the issue and reduce the loss for the big clothing retailers.   You can be sure that any retailer hearing rumours of a safety issue associated with a stocked product will immediately cut the price and put it on sale to move stock quickly.   Even when a recall is advertised, only a small portion usually gets returned for credit.

This whole safety issue raises another interesting question.   What finally happens to stock taken off the shelf for safety reasons ?   That seems to be an unanswered question and many would suppose that it would be destroyed - to keep the public safe.   Once again, there seems to be a lack of laws to govern safe disposal and it is possible that it will simply be shipped off to another country that has not brought it's safety laws up to date.

Australia is a first world country and consumers expect our watchdogs to be on top of the game.  The fact that there are fifty thousand items of clothing that pose a health hazard sitting on shop shelves is a disgrace that needs correction.    " Negotiations " clearly do not signal urgency - and only a total and immediate ban on further sales will induce garment manufacturers and importers to avoid future losses by keeping manufacturing standards up to date.

If a recall is deemed necessary, it needs to be immediately imposed !