February 2019 Consumer Product Recalls Analysis
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Recalls Analysis
In February 2019, there were 18 recall notices issued for consumer products by the CPSC. Three recalls were carried out in conjunction by the CPSC and Health Canada. In addition, there were five recalls that were previously announced independently by the companies due to the government furlough.
There were two notices for furniture that converted in to a bed, as the foam bed/mattress did not meet mattress flammability standard. There were also two recalls for topical anesthetic cream as they were not packaged in a child resistant packaging. We’ve highlighted some of the recalls relevant for softlines and hardlines industries below.
| February 2019 - CPSC | |
| Product | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Furniture – Sleeper chair folding foam bed | The foam bed does not meet the Federal mattress flammability standard posing burn hazard |
| Furniture – Folding mattress sofa | The mattress does not meet the Federal mattress flammability standard posing burn hazard |
| Holiday plastic milk bottles with straw | The plastic straw that comes with the milk bottle can crack or break, posing a laceration hazard |
| Footwear – Toddler boots | One of the trim components on the boot can detach, posing a choking hazard to children |
| Toys - Battery powered ride-on | The children’s ride-on can continue to run after the foot pedal is released, posing an injury hazard. |
Read more: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls
Health Canada Recalls Analysis
In February 2019, there were 15 recall notices issued for consumer products by Health Canada, which was fewer than the number of recall notices issued for consumer products in January 2019 (21 recall notices). There were three recalls for chemical products for not meeting the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001: one product was not packaged in child resistant packaging and other two were not labeled as per the requirements. We’ve highlighted some of the recalls relevant for softlines and hardlines industries below.
| February 2019 – Health Canada | |
| Product | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Pacifier clips | While opening and closing, the metal clip can break, releasing small parts that may pose a choking hazard to young children |
| Furniture – Coffee table | The plating beneath the surface coating may contain lead and may present a risk of lead exposure to children |
| Clothing – Sleep bag walkers | The sleep bag with ankle cuffs, is considered as a children’s sleepwear. It fails to meet the flammability requirements for children's sleepwear |
| Clothing – Baby cover up | As the Baby Cover up is advertised as a bathrobe, it must meet the flammability requirements for children's sleepwear, which the product fails to meet |
Read more: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/index-eng.php?cat=4
EU RAPEX Recall Analysis
In February 2019, there were 101 relevant product recall alerts issued through the EU’s Rapid Alert System (RAPEX). Toys accounted for the overwhelming majority of product recalls with 69, followed by clothing, textiles, and fashion items with 17 recalls, hobby and sports equipment accounting for 6 recalls, and childcare, protective equipment and miscellaneous hardgoods with 3 recalls each. We’ve highlighted the recalled product categories and hazards below.
| February 2019 – EU RAPEX | |
| Product Categories | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Clothing, textiles, and fashion items | The main recalls in this category were for choking hazards from small parts. The chemical recalls mostly resulted from chromium VI failures in leather products. There were also chemical failures on jewellery accessories for high lead and cadmium content. |
| Childcare articles | The recalls for childcare items resulted from entrapment, choking and other similar injuries. There were also failures for phthalate content. |
| Hobby and sports equipment | The recalls in this category resulted from the risk of burns and fire in hoverboard products. There were also chemical recalls due to SCCP (short chain chlorinated paraffins) content. |
| Protective equipment | The recalls were due to SCCP (short chain chlorinated paraffins) content and phthalates content. |
| Toys | The main recalls were related to chemical restrictions. These are due to phthalate content in toy items and due to slime containing high levels of boron. There were also recalls due to small parts choking hazards. |
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