Bußgelder und Klagerisiko bei fehlerhaftem Rückrufmanagement

Definition

ERAC’s recall guidance states that once recall action has begun, the supplier must notify the appropriate Commonwealth Minister within two days, typically by notifying the ACCC, and must also work with state and territory electrical safety regulators.[1][4] The ACCC administers the recall provisions of the Australian Consumer Law and oversees suppliers’ actions during a recall, including ensuring appropriate remedies are offered.[6] Under the ACL, contraventions of consumer product safety provisions can attract significant civil pecuniary penalties. Following 2018 amendments, the maximum penalty for corporations can be the greater of AUD 10 million, three times the value of the benefit obtained, or 10% of annual turnover in the preceding 12 months (logic extension from ACL penalty regime). While specific penalty amounts depend on court decisions, failure to adequately recall unsafe goods, misleading communication about recall scope, or non‑compliance with mandatory reporting can expose wholesalers to investigations, enforceable undertakings, and multi‑million‑dollar fines, in addition to legal defence costs. Even for a mid‑market wholesaler with AUD 100 million turnover, potential exposure of up to AUD 10 million per serious ACL breach is realistic. Implementing robust recall tracking, automated deadline alerts, and standardised regulator reporting can materially reduce this risk.

Why This Matters

The Pitch: Elektronik‑Grosshändler in Australien 🇦🇺 riskieren zivilrechtliche Strafen in Millionenhöhe pro Fall, wenn Rückrufe nicht korrekt oder nicht rechtzeitig durchgeführt werden. Digitale Rückruf‑ und Dokumentationssysteme senken dieses Sanktionsrisiko drastisch.

Affected Stakeholders

Board of Directors, CEO, CFO, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel, Compliance Manager

Related Business Risks