Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Minister acts to improve button battery safety for Kiwis

Hon Kris Faafoi

Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs


2 February 2018 MEDIA STATEMENT
Minister acts to improve button battery safety for Kiwi families

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Hon Kris Faafoi is taking an unprecedented step to get button battery manufacturers and retailers to make their products safer for New Zealand consumers.

Mr Faafoi says New Zealand is one of the first in the world to enact a Product Safety Policy Statement, which gives the industry a proactive opportunity to make products safer for New Zealanders.

“Most households have many products which use button batteries – from novelty musical cards to watches and remote controls. The small size can cause a serious health risk if swallowed, especially for children.

“While button batteries are a necessary power source for many consumer goods, their use has to be weighed up with the more important priority, which is consumer safety.”

In New Zealand, as many as 20 children are hospitalised at Starship Hospital from ingesting button batteries each year and some require serious emergency operations.

As button batteries are manufactured offshore, the policy statement targets New Zealand suppliers and retailers, advising them on how to improve packaging, display and disposal, while also encouraging innovative ways to make them safer.

“This is a necessary step to improve the safety of children and families. I will be asking officials toclosely monitor safety outcomes over the next few years as the industry responds to this.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

While the Minister hasn’t ruled out further regulatory intervention, he says presently the industry overall is supportive of the approach.

“It’s pleasing to see a number of businesses are already on board with these initiatives, so we can expect to see improvements on the way,” says Mr Faafoi.

More information on the Statement here.


ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.