Which Rats Are Approved in Australia?
WouterAustralia banned RATs from use in homes a few months ago but has recently allowed them in some limited settings under supervision during a pandemic response plan. In fact, during the recent lockdown in New South Wales, RATs were used in local government areas. However, since the global demand for RATs has risen, several companies in Australia are seeking local approval.
TGA requires companies to actively monitor RATs and provide evidence of their performance. If these tests are not up to standard, the agency can take a number of steps to remedy the situation. These include suspending a product’s sale in Australia or cancelling it altogether, issuing a warning or infringement, or reviewing labelling and testing devices.
Consumer concerns about price gouging and questionable selling practices are prompting the government and ACCC to take action. The ACCC has pushed for the enforcement of existing consumer law to ensure businesses are not exploiting the market for RATs. In addition to imposing price caps on RATs, the ACCC is pushing to name and shame businesses that engage in questionable pricing practices. Such action can cause significant reputational damage and fines.
RATs are relatively new in Australia but have been used in other countries for a while. RATs are widely available in the UK, France, and Germany and are free to purchase in Singapore and other countries. In Singapore, the Ministry of Health has begun mailing six RAT kits to households, and the Ministry of Education has distributed three to all licensed pre-schools and schools in Singapore.
