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   The Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX)

The Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX)

- Weekly overview report of RAPEX notifications -

report 38 - 2008

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No.
Ref.
Notifying country Product
(Click on the photo to enlarge)
Danger Measures adopted by notifying country Products were found and measures were taken also in: (*)
1
1020/08
Germany

Category: Electrical appliances
Product: Baby monitoring device (Baby phone)

Brand: ANSMANN Type/number of model: Paris; EAN 4013674700325

Description: Baby phone existing in the present technical design since November 2006.

Country of origin: China


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Electric shock

The product poses a risk of electric shock when activating the reset button. If, as recommended, a paper clip, needle or similar fine-tipped metal object is used to access and activate the reset switch, an electric shock can occur as the reset switch in question has only simple foil insulation.

Voluntary stop of sale by the manufacturer.

2
1052/08
Czech Republic

Category: Toys
Product: Scooter for children - Fashion-scooter

Brand: MINI SCOOTER
Type/number of model: EAN 8592006013921

Description: The scooter has a metal frame with plastic basket on the handlebars and a pink, plastic footboard.

Country of origin: China


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Injuries

The product poses a risk of injuries because:

- the diameter of the front wheel is 115mm (minimum required: 120mm),

- the handlebar ends are 25mm (minimum required: 40mm),

- there are no instructions for use and the maximum load is not indicated.

The product does not comply with the Toys Directive and the relevant European standard EN 71.

Sales ban ordered by the authorities.

3
1053/08
Spain

Category: Hobby/sport equipment
Product: Bicycle

Brand: B-TWIN

Type/number of model:

- Model B-TWIN KWAHILI: size M (562155) and size L (562230)

- Model B-TWIN 7: size M (475.974) and size L (476.859)

Description: Bicycle. As regards model B-TWIN KWAHILI; the bicycles affected were purchased between 8 February 2008 and 4 April 2008. As regards model B-TWIN 7, only bicycles with manufacturing order numbers 28354, 28300, 28386, 28523, 28529, 28535, 28553, 28587, 28670 and 28770 are affected (The manufacturing order number is indicated under the bicycle's crank housing).

Country of origin: France


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Injuries and cuts

The product poses a risk of injuries and cuts because some forks may have faulty adjusting screws, which can cause a risk of accident for users.

Voluntary corrective actions taken by the manufacturer.

4
1054/08
Slovenia

Category: Toys
Product: Plastic Strands / Scoubidou "Totum"

Brand: FILOFUN
Type/number of model: EAN 8714274090132

Description: Plastic strands in various colours, 2 m long.

Country of origin: Netherlands


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because the different coloured strands contain between 25-28% (yellow 26%) by weight of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

This phthalate is banned for use in toys by the Chemical Restrictions Directive 79/769/EEC.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market by the distributor.

5
1055/08
Slovenia

Category: Toys
Product: Plastic Strands / Scoubidou "Fluorescence"

Brand: CREADOUOO
Type/number of model: EAN 4039169031811

Description: Plastic strands in various colours, 2 m long.

Country of origin: Germany


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because the different strands contain between 8.9-14 % by weight of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and 16-19 % of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which are banned in toys by the Chemical Restrictions Directive 76/769/EEC.

Voluntary recall from consumers by the distributor.

6
1056/08
Slovenia

Category: Toys
Product: Plastic Strands / Scoubidou

Brand: RAYHER
Type/number of model: EAN 4006166548536

Description: Plastic strands in various colours.

Country of origin: Germany


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because the different coloured strands contain:

- between 2.6-23% (pink 22%) by weight of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP),

- between 2.8-22% (pink 2.8%) by weight of dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

These phthalates are banned in toys by the Chemical Restrictions Directive 79/769/EEC.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market by the distributor.

7
1057/08
Czech Republic

Category: Decorative articles
Product: Tea-light candles

Brand: SPEKTRUM CZ
Type/number of model: barcode 8594008874678

Description: Tea-light candles in black plastic containers, sold in packages containing ten pieces / 250g.

Country of origin: China


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Fire

The product poses a risk of fire because:

- the wick in the candle may burn the bottom of the container causing wax to leak out,

- the bottom of the container may melt,

- the type of plastic material used is inappropriate for candle production.

Sales ban ordered by the authorities.

8
1058/08
Spain

Category: Toys
Product: Play set – bow and arrows

Brand: CAVALIER
Type/number of model: Ref: 642097, Barcode: 8435031219916

Description: Play set consisting of a toy sword with sheath, a bow with three arrows with suction cups and a quiver for the arrows. The different components of the toy are attached to coloured cardboard with a CE mark and a pictogram indicating that the toy is not recommended for children under three years of age. There is a label on the back of the card indicating the name of the importer, the barcode, reference number and a notice that the product is not a toy and not suitable for children under 16 years of age.

Country of origin: China


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Suffocation

The product poses a risk of suffocation because the suction cups can easily be detached from the arrows, which may cause asphyxiation if children were to put them in their mouth.

The product does not comply with the Toys Directive and the relevant European standard EN 71.

Import rejected by the customs authorities.

9
1059/08
France

Category: Chemical products
Product: Glue - Super Glue Extra super power Z

Brand: SUPER GLUE
Type/number of model: Barcode 8435233232355

Description: 6 x 3g tubes of glue in blister packs.

Country of origin: Unknown


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Chemical

The products pose a chemical risk because it contains:

- chloroform,
- dichloroethane,
- ethyl cyanoacetate,

The levels of chloroform and dichloroethane found allow this preparation to be classified as an acute, lethal irritant with severe effects after repeated or prolonged exposure.

The product does not comply with the Chemical Restrictions Directive 76/769/EEC. Voluntary withdrawal from the market and recall from consumers.

Destruction of the notified products ordered by the authorities.

10
1060/08
Germany

Category: Toys
Product: Air mattress for dolls "Puppen Luftmatratze"

Brand: HELESS
Type/number of model: EAN Code: 4 001949 003219

Description: Yellow, inflatable, plastic air mattress for dolls with bear motif and valve made of transparent plastic.

Country of origin: China


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because it contains 4.8 % by weight of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which is banned in toys by the Chemical Restrictions Directive 76/769/EEC.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market by the importer.

11
1061/08
Greece

Category: Electrical appliances
Product: Power light modules

Brand: GSI
Type/number of model: PL-01 and PL-02

Description: Gemini brand power light modules used in DJ rack systems. Models included in the recall are PL-01 and Pl-02. The model numbers are printed on the front of the module near the power switch. The modules have an ETL logo on the back panel and were sold between July 2004 and September 2007.

Country of origin: China


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Fire and burns

The product poses a risk of fire and burns because the internal wiring in the modules' circuit boards is incorrectly installed.

The product does not comply with the Low Voltage Directive and the relevant European standard.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market and recall from consumers by the importer.

12
1062/08
Poland

Category: Toys
Product: Toy cosmetics for dolls

Brand: HEART PALETTE
Type/number of model: EAN 5907791533692, Art. 2061B

Description: The set consists of a plastic, transparent box with 6 eye shadows and an applicator. The colours of the eye shadows are: dark and light pink, yellow, turquoise, brick, aquamarine. The packaging is a plastic transparent bag.

Country of origin: China


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Chemical

The product (aquamarine eye shadow) poses a chemical risk because it contains 172 mg/kg of chromium (maximum permitted limit is 60 mg/kg) and 1620 mg/kg of lead (maximum limit permitted is 90 mg/kg).

In addition, there is a lack of warnings and information for consumers.

The product does not comply with the Toy Safety Directive.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market by the importer.

13
1063/08
Estonia

Category: Lighters
Product: Lighters

Brand: AIKON
Type/number of model: EAN 4742279000201; model A7 (EL-40) by importer and model ZY 218 CB1 by manufacturer; 5-digit number 44002.

Description: A refillable, adjustable, electronic, gas lighter made of coloured plastic (silver, gold, dark blue, dark green). The lighters carry the logo “Aikon” and a sticker with safety information in Estonian and data concerning the importer. The following inscriptions are indicated on the collective packaging: "C•R Lighter type A7 Aikon; EAN 4742279000201; 50 pcs; Warning: Keep out of reach of children. Contains pressurised flammable gas. Do not expose to temperatures above 50ºC and do not place the lighter in direct sunlight for long periods. When lighting keep away from face and clothing. Do not puncture or throw into open flames. Check that the lighter is extinguished after use. Do not keep lighter lit more than 10 seconds."

Country of origin: China


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Fire and burns

The product poses a risk of fire and burns because it does not comply with the safety requirements laid down in standard ISO 9994 regarding :

- flame height,

- resistance to spitting, sputtering and flaring,

- flame extinction,

- resistance to dropping.

Withdrawal from the market ordered by the authorities.

14
1064/08
Poland

Category: Stationery
Product: Stationery sets

Brands: “SWEET SIRENA”, “KOLORKI” (Colors) and “ACTIVITY CLUB”.
Type/number of model: EAN 5907808880153

Description: The product consists of several pieces including an organizer, scissors, small cutting knife, 2 pens, ballpoint pen, sharpener, stapler, staples, eraser, paper-clips and drawing-pins. The set is coloured green, orange or pink and made of semi–transparent plastic. The risk applies to the blade of the knife which has a very sharp, sliding blade with a point at the end and it can be easily removed. Packaging: a blister pack with a cardboard tag marked with the name of the product, name and address of distributor, content of the packaging, “Made in China”.

Country of origin: China


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Cuts and injuries

The product poses a risk of cuts and injuries due to the sharp blade – "paper knife" - which forms part of the set and is very dangerous for children. The wounds made by this blade could be deep.

Voluntary corrective actions taken by the distributor.

15
1065/08
Italy

Category: Gadgets
Product: Carnival spray "Schiuma"

Brand: SOLCHIM
Type/number of model: EAN 8011400003470

Description: Spray cans of carnival foam carrying numerous warnings in various languages: “Shake well before and during use. Use at ambient temperature at 20°C. Contains 9% by mass of flammable components. Pressurized container. Protect from direct sunshine and do not expose to temperatures above 50°C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray on an open flame or any incandescent material. Keep away from any combustion source. Do not smoke. Keep out of the reach of children. Does not contain ozone depleting propellants. Warning. Not suitable for children under 3 years of age. Warning. Consists of small parts and may be dangerous if not used appropriately. Do not inhale or spray on an open flame or any incandescent material. Use under direct supervision of an adult, keep out of reach of very small children. Warning Suitable for children over 5 years of age."

Country of origin: Italy


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because it contains skin irritants and eye irritants – lauryl sarcosinate sodium and amides, coco, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) - the latter of which is also classed as R 41 “Risk of serious damage to eyes”.
14 incidents reported.

Precautionary seizure. Suspension of production and withdrawal from the market ordered by the authorities

16
1066/08
Germany

Category: Motor vehicles
Product: Passenger cars made by Daimler AG

Brand: MERCEDES-BENZ
Type/Number of model:

- Type 169 (Model A), EU type approval e1*2001/116*0288*08 : A 160 CDI, A 180 CDI, A 200 CDI, A 150, A 170, A 200, A 200 Turbo,

- Type 245 (Model B...), EU type approval e1*2001/116*0314*05 : B 180 CDI, B 200 CDI, B 150, B 170, B 200, B 200 Turbo.

Description: Concerns vehicles built between 7.8.2008 and 13.8.2008.

Country of origin: Germany

No picture available


Injuries

The product poses a risk of injuries because, as a result of temperature fluctuations during the supplier's hardening process, the individual ratchets of the seatbelt clasps for the driver, front-seat passenger and left and centre rear passenger seats, may not meet the manufacturer's safety standards. In the worst cases, the force which occurs in the event of an accident may cause a defective component to break and lead to the seatbelt being released.

Voluntary corrective actions taken by the manufacturer.

17
1067/08
Germany

Category: Clothing, textiles and fashion items
Product: Women's briefs

Brand: IDENTIC
Type/number of model: Season: 107, WGR: 548, 51186005481190000399, Order No: 5118600

Description: Red women's briefs consisting of elastic material and embroidered tulle. According to the distributor the goods in question were remnants from 2007.

Country of origin: China


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Chemical

The product poses a chemical risk because it contains prohibited azo dyes, 270 mg/kg of 3,3’-dimethylbenzidine, in the red tulle (lining).

This product does not comply with the Chemicals Restrictions Directive 76/769/EEC.

Voluntary withdrawal from the market and recall from consumers by the importer.






 


(*) NEW

Enforcement is a top priority of the EU Consumer Policy Strategy 2007-2013. Both measures leading to RAPEX notifications and measures which come to the attention of the Commission and other Member States as reactions are indications of enforcement activity in the Member State concerned.

In order to give a better view on the overall level of enforcement, including the follow-up activities of the national market surveillance authorities, the Commission RAPEX team has decided to publish on the RAPEX website also the names of the countries that have found the notified product on their market and have taken appropriate measures (and have submitted a reaction to a RAPEX notification as a consequence).

Information about the reacting countries is available in the RAPEX weekly overviews in the column 'Products were found and measures were taken also in'. The Commission RAPEX team will publish reactions sent (from May 2009 onwards) to 2009 RAPEX notifications.



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