March 2019 Consumer Product Recalls Analysis
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Recalls Analysis
In March 2019, there were 20 recall notices issued for consumer products by the CPSC. About one-third of the recalls, totaling six recalls, were carried out in conjunction by the CPSC and Health Canada.
Half of the recalls were for fire hazards from electronics, power equipment and off-highway utility vehicles. In addition, there were four recalls due to fall or injury hazards from sports and fitness products. We’ve highlighted some of the recalls relevant for softlines and hardlines industries below.
| March 2019 – CPSC | |
| Product | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Clothing – Socks | Small ornaments can detach from the baby socks, posing a choking hazard to young children |
| Clothing – Heated socks | The lithium-ion battery can overheat, melt or ignite when charged with a charger other than the one provided with the product, posing fire and burn hazards |
| Cookware – Sauté pan | The pan comes with a glass lid that can crack or shatter during normal use, posing a laceration hazard |
| Dining – Plates | The plates are incorrectly labeled as microwave safe. They contain aluminum, which poses a fire hazard if microwaved |
| Toys – Children’s globes | The globe’s internal wires can short out and overheat, posing fire and burn hazards |
Read more: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls
Health Canada Recalls Analysis
In March 2019, there were 19 recall notices issued for consumer products by Health Canada, which was more than the number of recall notices issued for consumer products in February 2019 (15 recall notices).
There were five recalls for children’s sleepwear as it did not meet the loose-fitting children’s sleepwear flammability requirements, most likely as the manufacturer misclassified the articles either as tight-fitting children’s sleepwear or bedding products. We’ve highlighted some of the recalls relevant for softlines and hardlines industries below.
| March 2019 – Health Canada | |
| Product | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Furniture – Folding chair | The fold link steel on some chairs, do not meet the minimum product specification and may result in some fold link breakage during use, which may present a fall hazard to consumers |
| Mattress – Folding mattress | The mattress does not meet the flammability requirements in the Mattress Regulations |
| Kitchenware – Soup bowl | The soup bowl handle can break, posing a burn hazard to users |
Read more: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/index-eng.php?cat=4
EU RAPEX Recall Analysis
In March 2019, there were 85 relevant product recall alerts issued through the EU’s Rapid Alert System (RAPEX). Toys accounted for the overwhelming majority of product recalls with 46, followed by childcare articles with 19 recalls, hobby and sports equipment accounting for 16 recalls, and clothing and fashion accessories with 4 recalls. We’ve highlighted the recalled product categories and hazards below.
| March 2019 – EU RAPEX | |
| Product Categories | Reason/Hazard(s) |
| Childcare articles | There were several recalls for baby carriers that may result in injury; some soother holders were subject to recall due to the potential for choking; and there were also been recalls on travel cots that have entrapment hazards |
| Clothing and fashion accessories | The chemical recalls were for chromium VI in footwear and high cadmium content in jewellery; other recalls were for drawstrings that do not comply with EN 14682 and rhinestone decoration on infant garments that cause a choking hazard from small parts |
| Hobby and sports equipment | The main recalls were for ‘hoverboard’ type products that have electrical faults and may result in fires cause burns |
| Toys | There were many recalls this month for battery-operated toys where the solder on the battery contacts were found to have excessive lead content and also cadmium in some cases; these are considered to be an environmental hazard; other chemical failures were primarily due to phthalate content in toy items; and there were also recalls due to small part choking hazards |
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