- Published:
- Monday 14 September 2026 at 10:22 am
Major appliance manufacturer Electrolux Home Products has been fined $55,000 without conviction after admitting it negligently supplied more than 1,000 unsafe gas cooktops in Victoria between May 2021 and June 2022.
The Westinghouse cooktops had already been the subject of more than 100 complaints about spontaneously shattering glass by April 2021, including some reports of glass breaking into shards and people being injured.
Electrolux pleaded guilty to three charges under the Gas Safety Act 1997 relating to two gas cooktop models – WHG638BC and WHG958BC – supplied to retailers, such as The Good Guys and E&S Trading.
Energy Safe Victoria’s investigation uncovered internal company communications showing Electrolux was aware of glass on affected models shattering as early as October 2020.
Despite this, Electrolux did not stop supplying the appliances or immediately notify the relevant certification body, the Australian Gas Association (AGA), of the safety issues as required.
In sentencing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11 September, Magistrate Broughton said that consumers were entitled to expect better from the products Electrolux supplied.
Energy Safe investigators also found Electrolux only conducted in-house testing and failed to ensure the glass panels were tested to Australian Standards before releasing the cooktops to the Australian market – both before and after changing glass suppliers.
When the AGA independently tested the replacement glass in the cooktops in June 2022, it failed to meet the required Australian Standard. Electrolux continued supplying the affected appliances for two weeks after being notified of the failed test.
Electrolux entered into a voluntary recall of the affected models in August 2022.
Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said the outcome sent a clear message to manufacturers and suppliers about ensuring appliances are safe before putting them into people’s homes.
“Electrolux should have ensured the glass used in these gas cooktops was properly tested to the Australian Standard before supplying them to Victorian consumers,” Ms Hughson said.
“When reports began mounting that the glass was spontaneously shattering in an unsafe manner, the company had an even greater responsibility to act quickly to protect the public.”
“Safety standards exist to protect people from serious and preventable harm, and Energy Safe will take action when those standards are not met and unsafe appliances put the community at risk.”
Visit the Energy Safe website for more information about appliance safety at home or to report a safety issue or concern.
Energy Safe. Always.
Media contact: April Dudgeon | 0498 188 117 | media@energysafe.vic.gov.au
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