Electrolux Home Products has been charged with 40 offences under the Gas Safety Act 1997 for allegedly supplying unsafe gas cooktops to retailers in Victoria between May 2021 and July 2022.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) alleges the company negligently and recklessly supplied two gas cooktop models, WHG638BC and WHG958BC, with glass panels that could shatter dangerously during normal use or on impact. The company is also accused of failing to provide required information and documentation to the regulator.

The investigation began after reports of glass hobs shattering, in some cases causing injuries from ejected shards. Consumer complaints suggested the glass panels may not have met Australian safety standards, and Electrolux reportedly did not test the panels until June 2022.

Despite advice from the Australian Gas Association that the models failed certification, the company continued supplying them for several weeks. Electrolux voluntarily recalled the affected cooktops in August 2022.

Under Victorian law, supplying appliances that do not meet safety standards or failing to provide regulator-required information carries significant penalties.

At the time, each negligent or reckless supply charge carried a maximum penalty of $40,000, and up to $200,000 for failing to comply with document requests. For offences committed after 21 May 2025, the maximum penalty for negligent or reckless supply has increased to almost $250,000.