The consumer watchdog will maintain surveillance of lithium battery fire extinguisher suppliers after discovering some have made potentially false or misleading representations about safety compliance.

Suppliers have since amended their marketing claims in response to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission concerns.

“The ACCC will continue to monitor developments in this area and will take action where appropriate to address potentially misleading representations to consumers,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said.

She says the commission expects suppliers to “ensure the products and any marketing materials state prominently that there is no Australian standard for lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers, and that the extinguishers are only suitable for use by trained firefighting professionals.

“The ACCC’s view is that lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers should not be marketed as being suitable for use by members of the general public.”