On April 26, 2016, The Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon KellyO’Dwyer, has decided to maintain the national interim ban on the supply of hoverboards that do not meet safety standards.

Minister O’Dwyer imposed the interim ban in March after advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that unsafe hoverboards create an imminent risk of death or serious injury.

There are three safety steps hoverboard downers should follow:

1 Please go to website: www.racalls.gov.au to check if the hoverboard is recalled.

2 If it is not recalled, contact  the retailer to check if it meets safety standards.

3 Until it is confirmed safe do not charge your hoverboard.

The ACCC recently held a conference with hoverboard suppliers about the ban. After the conference, the ACCC recommended that the Minister maintain the interim ban.

The interim ban will continue to 17 May 2016.  The ACCC will continue to investigate and consider what future action may be taken to ensure the ongoing safety of these products.

The ACCC has advised that six house fires in Australia have been directly linked to a hoverboard. Three of the six houses have been destroyed, the most recent fire occurred this week in Bankstown, NSW. It was reported that the hoverboard exploded while being charged in a child’s bedroom.  Another fire was sparked by a hoverboard in Tasmania in February.

Consumers must not charge or use their hoverboards unless their supplier confirms that their hoverboard meets the safety requirements.

If a supplier’s hoverboards do not meet the requirements, retailers are unable to sell the product during the interim ban period. Consumers can visit the ACCC website for further information.