[BITList] The original ugg boot is as Australian as kangaroos, vegemite, Aussie Rules football and the koala,

[John Feltham]

The original ugg boot is as Australian as kangaroos, vegemite, Aussie Rules football and the koala, however a ruling from Australia’s competition and consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has exposed one online retailer as selling its ugg boots as ‘Australian made’ when they were actually made in China.
Happiness Road Investment Group Pty Ltd (Happiness Road) has now provided a court enforceable undertaking to the ACCC after accepting that it had made misleading claims that its ugg boots were made in Australia and it had used the Australian Made logo without authorisation.

Happiness Road, trading as Koala Jack, is a Queensland based company that sells its products exclusively online, and from at least 5 October to 14 October last year, the home page of the Koala Jack website prominently displayed the green and gold Australian Made logo and other statements that the boots were made in Australia.

Following an ACCC investigation Happiness Road admitted that its ugg boots were all made in China, and it was also revealed that Happiness Road was not authorised to use the Australian Made logo.

In its statement, the ACCC said it had worked closely with the Australian Made Campaign Limited (who administers the use of the logo) and the Australian Sheepskin Association to identify those traders who blatantly represented their footwear products as Australian made, when they are not. 

“The ACCC considers country of origin claims to be a particularly valuable marketing tool for businesses, as many consumers place a premium on goods that are Australian made,” ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

“This outcome serves as a timely reminder that the ACCC will not hesitate to take action against businesses which mislead consumers about the origin of the goods they are selling.”

“While the ACCC will continue to monitor advertising of this nature to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law, businesses need to be aware there are many others out there watching. The chance of being caught out is extremely high. 

The undertaking requires Happiness Road to:

•    Refrain from engaging in the same or similar conduct in the future

•    Offer and pay refunds to consumers who were misled by its conduct, and

•    To publish an Adword advertisement on Google which directs visitors to publications on the ACCC’s website regarding misleading claims and advertising.

The undertaking also requires that Happiness Road’s sole director, Mr Jason Rey, undertakes trade practices compliance training.



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