ACCC fines Tesla for alleged safety breach

The news: Consumer watchdog ACCC has fined car maker Tesla for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory safety standards for products powered by button batteries.

The numbers: Tesla’s Australian unit has paid penalties of $155,460 after the ACCC issued it with ten infringement notices.

The context: The ACCC alleged Tesla failed to conduct required safety tests before supplying three of its key fob models and two illuminated door sill models, all powered by button batteries, and failed to provide the mandatory safety warnings on these products. ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe warned button batteries can be lethal for young children. She said the Australian mandatory standards were designed to reduce the risk of injury through testing of the safety of products containing them before they are sold and explicit warnings on the packaging of the products. Tesla has since removed the products from sale and started testing them.