Electrolux has been charged with 40 offences by the Victorian Government for allegedly supplying unsafe Westinghouse glass gas cooktops from May 2021 to July 2022.
Electrolux is due to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 November 2025.
In a statement Electrolux vice president for ANZ, Kurt Hegvold, acknowledged the charges issued by Energy Safe Victoria and has confirmed the two Westinghouse Black Tempered Glass Gas Cooktops – model numbers WHG638BC and WHG958BC were part of a voluntary recall of all affected units – as reported by Appliance Retailer in August 2022.
“EHP will respond to the charges as required by the Court in due Course. Any safety issue which is likely to affect our consumers or retail partners is taken very seriously by us,” Hegvold said.
Energy Safe Victoria claims that Electrolux has breached the Gas Safety Act 1997 for supplying unsafe gas cooktops that they claim has “negligently and recklessly supplying two models containing glass panels that could shatter dangerously on impact or normal use and failing to provide information and documents to the regulator as required under legislation”.
At the time when the recall took place in 2022, Electrolux confirmed the issue with the cooktops.
“Electrolux has identified that the glass in the cooktop does not comply with the Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances Standard. If the glass breaks, it may shatter into fragments and shards that may hit people using the cooktop or people nearby which may pose a risk of serious injury,” the company said at the time.
“Retailers have been advised to cease selling the product and Electrolux is working with retail partners to contact consumers who have purchased a Westinghouse WHG638BC or WHG958BC Black Tempered Glass Gas Cooktop.
“While we appreciate the difficulty a recall presents, we are taking this action to ensure the safety of our consumers,” Hegvold said in 2022.
In a note sent to retailers on 8 October 2025 following the charges, Electrolux director of sales Hass Mahdi provided this information to retailers.
“You may hear commentary following a media release issued by Energy Safe Victoria today regarding charges that have been brought against Electrolux. The charges relate to allegedly supplying unsafe glass cooktops between May 2021 and July 2022. This only affects two models that were discontinued in 2022: WHG638BC and WHG958BC.
“You may recall that these cooktops were already part of a voluntary recall which was notified to you in July 2022. With your valued help, we’ve been working to replace or refund all affected units. There remains a possibility that consumers may approach you in relation to this media release seeking clarification of the steps they need to take if they feel they have an affected appliance.
“If any consumers contact you about these models, please ask them to call Electrolux on 1800 001 218. A technician will visit them for free to replace the cooktop, or they can get a refund.
Electrolux takes safety very seriously and will respond to the charges through the proper legal process,” Mahdi said.
Energy Safe Victoria launched an investigation into the cooktops after receiving reports of glass hobs shattering, in some cases causing injuries from broken glass ejected from the hob.
The investigation revealed a series of consumer reports that indicated the glass panels may not have met Australian safety standards, which Electrolux did not test for until June 2022. The company also reportedly continued to supply the affected models for several weeks after the Australian Gas Association – the body responsible for certifying the compliance of the gas cooktops – advised that they did not pass certification testing.
In Victoria, it is illegal to supply appliances that do not meet safety standards or to fail to provide required information to regulators, due to the serious risk of injury to consumers. At the time of offending, each charge carried a maximum penalty of more than $40,000 for negligent or reckless supply, and up to $200,000 for failing to comply with a request for documents under the Gas Safety Act 1997. The maximum penalty for a negligent or reckless supply charge has since increased to almost $250,000 for offences committed after 21 May 2025.