Apple’s recently released enhanced tracking device dubbed AirTags has had a pretty strong reception in Australia since its introduction into the Australian market. The Apple AirTags is a smart device with several impressive features that makes it very easy to locate tagged objects. It can also interface seamlessly with other smart home devices, through Voice Assistant compatibility.
Australian retailer Officerworks has taken the decision to remove Apple’s AirTags from its stores across the country due to potential hazard concerns relating to its button battery. Several sources in Australia have confirmed that indeed the retailer has removed the device from its shelves, including a Reddit user who reported requesting the product from Officerworks. The removal from the stores was due to observed safety risks with the accessibility of its lithium button-sized battery. A statement credited to Officerworks says that the product will be unavailable from its stables until further direction is provided by the regulator, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The packaging of the Apple AirTags did not comply with the Australian rules that specify that warning symbols should be provided on the packaging and product instruction for such products when button batteries are used. The deadline for compliance with the country’s new Information Standard is June 2022.
While we can confirm that Officerworks has indeed pulled out the AirTags from its scores of stores across Australia, the device is still available in multiple channels in the country. It is expected, however, that with the decision of Officerworks to pull the device off its shelves, the regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will provide some guidance on what other retailers can do on the issue.
In an e-mail response to Gizmodo, an Apple representative disclosed that the AirTags was designed to comply with international child safety standards, including those in Australia. The Apple rep clarified that the device requires a two-step push-and-turn mechanism to access the user-replaceable battery. Apple also stated that it is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work to ensure its products meet or exceed new standards, including those for package labeling, well ahead of the timeline required. Apple is expected to update the packing to include a warning about button batteries in the packaging before June 21, 2022, based on the new information standards in the country. We expect the tech giant to roll out new packaging soon.
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