Tannery forced to retract false claims
Following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Tasman Sheepskin Tannery has given a court-enforceable undertaking that it will cease claims that its medical sheepskins meet a voluntary standard in cases where they fail to comply with the requirements.
The investigation was begun when a hospital physiotherapist reported finding up to 80 grass seeds embedded in the leather and wool of a medical sheepskin which also failed to have the correct labelling and washing instructions in order to comply.
According to ACCC, although the standard is not mandatory, Tasman Sheepskin Tannery risked breaching sections 52 and 53(a) of the Trade Practices Act 1974 by misrepresenting its medical sheepskins complied with this standard where they did not.
As a result Tasman has agreed to cease representing that its medical sheepskins comply with the standard where they do not, to replace or refund any medical sheepskins manufactured since November 1, 2005, that contain grass seeds or do not display the required labelling, and implement a trade practices compliance programme.
Commenting on the agreement, ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, said, "Consumers in this case are vulnerable and may be poorly placed to identify non-compliance with the standard. The message to manufacturers is simple – if you are not sure you can claim compliance with a standard – don't."
