ACCC Sues Kmart Over Nail Glue and Battery Product Safety
The Australian watchdog alleges Kmart failed to warn about nail glue burns and breached safety rules for watches and tracking devices.
Key takeaways
- The ACCC alleges Kmart sold nail glue without warning of a serious burn risk.
- The watchdog says at least 51 consumers reported skin burns linked to the glue.
- The ACCC also alleges safety breaches involving watches and Smart Tags.
Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken Kmart to the Federal Court in Victoria, alleging the retailer sold nail glue without warning customers of a risk of serious burns. The ACCC says the glue was sold individually and in packs with artificial nails.
Court documents cited by the ACCC say at least 51 consumers complained to Kmart about skin burns between August 2017 and December 2024. At least 33 complaints referred to contact with fabric, and some customers reported injuries requiring medical treatment, hospitalisation or skin grafts.
The ACCC also alleges Kmart failed to submit mandatory serious-injury reports to the federal minister. Kmart said it had submitted mandatory injury reports to the ACCC, regretted injuries associated with the products and considered its warnings appropriate.
In a separate allegation, the watchdog says Kmart sold about 64,000 button-battery watches between June 2022 and November 2024 without required testing before supply. It also alleges the retailer supplied Smart Tag tracking devices that did not meet mandatory button-battery information standards. The devices were recalled in 2024.
Kmart said it had cooperated with the ACCC and strengthened its product safety processes. A court date has not yet been set.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
