The Commerce Commission of New Zealand has taken action against Bed, Bath and Beyond, resulting in a significant fine of $230,000 due to five violations of the Fair Trading Act. These violations were linked to the sale of non-compliant children's pyjamas and hot water bottles, which posed safety risks to consumers.

According to Vanessa Horne, the General Manager of Competition, Fair Trading, and Credit at the Commerce Commission, it is crucial for businesses to ensure that their products meet legal safety requirements, particularly those related to fire safety and burn risks. The case is notable as it represents the largest number of non-compliant items the Commission has encountered, affecting over 27,000 consumers who purchased these products.

Between March and October 2023, Bed, Bath and Beyond sold a total of 27,374 products that lacked the necessary safety information in required locations. This included 3,753 sets of children's pyjamas that failed to display fire hazard information properly, and 23,801 hot water bottles that did not provide essential usage and storage instructions. Judge Bonnar emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, given the extensive number of non-compliant goods distributed nationwide and the duration of the violations.

Horne reiterated the importance of proper labeling, stating that fire hazard labels and instructions for hot water bottles are critical for informing consumers about potential risks. The legislation mandates minimum safety standards and information formats for higher-risk products to help consumers mitigate harm. For instance, children's pyjamas must have permanent warning labels in specific locations, while hot water bottles require detailed usage instructions to ensure consumer safety.