Commerce Commission takes PD Mart to court over product safety

The New Zealand Commerce Commission has initiated legal action against PD Mart, a variety retailer operating in Auckland and Christchurch, over allegations of selling non-compliant products. The Commission claims the retailer offered 57 different types of non-compliant goods, including items intended for young children such as toys, baby rattles, bikes, and baby walkers.

Furthermore, the Commission alleges that PD Mart falsely represented seven types of children’s car seats as complying with international safety standards. Following investigations that began in October 2024, the retailer recalled and removed several potentially unsafe items. Rebecca McAtamney, General Manager of Competition and Fair Trading, stated that businesses must comply with New Zealand safety requirements regardless of price, noting that selling substandard products puts consumers, particularly children, at risk.