Electrical Product Recalls
Research by Electrical Safety First estimates there are around 4 million recalled electrical appliances still being used in UK homes and businesses. The average success rate of a product recall is just 10% to 20%. There are over 1 million untraced appliances from just three product recalls by Bosch, Beko, and Hotpoint.
![Bosch Dishwasher Recall](images/bosch-dishwasher.jpg)
Bosch Dishwashers
In July 2011 Bosch issued a product recall for 632,000 dishwashers that were manufactured between 1999 and 2005. 443,000 of these still haven’t been traced. Bosch dishwashers have caused at least 410 fires.
The Bosch dishwasher recall also includes models sold under the Neff and Siemens brands. All affected models have a batch number are within the range FD 7901 to FD 8504. bosch-home.co.uk
![Hotpoint Dishwasher Recall](images/hotpoint-dishwasher.png)
Hotpoint Dishwashers
In April 2013 Hotpoint recalled 283,000 dishwashers. The affected models are FDW20, FDW60, FDW60A. Hotpoint reports that there have been at least 38 fires related to these machines. In November 2013, a further recall was issued for models DWF30, DWF31, DWF32, DWF33, DWF34, DWF35, DWF37, and DC26. In July 2014 Hotpoint announced a further recall of an additional 330,000 dishwashers. This recall affects models: FDW70, FDW75, FDW80, or FDW85A with a serial number between S/N 50401 and S/N 80531. This recall also includes dishwashers sold under the Indesit brand. hotpointservice.co.uk
![Insulation Resistance table in 1st Edition](images/beko-fridge-freezer.png)
Beko Fridge freezer
In 2011 Beko recalled 492,000 fridge freezers. 294,000 of these have still not been traced. London Fire Brigade warns that they have caused dozens of fires, leading to the death of one man. This recall covers more than 37 models that were manufactured between January 2000 and October 2006. The first 2 digits of the serial number on the rating plate give the year of production. If the serial number begins either: 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, or 06 you should check the Beko website for further details. beko.co.uk
The reason for such low success rates is obvious. Unlike an automotive recall, where vehicle manufacturers can trace owners of affected models via the DVLA database, manufacturers of electrical products do not have access to the details of current owners. A small percentage of customers may have taken the time to complete product registration forms, but otherwise, a product recall is an ad hoc system of publishing notices in newspapers, websites and shops. Manufacturers are required to inform Trading Standards of a safety recall, who will then place the product on a recall list, but for the consumer, it is very difficult to track down a product that has been recalled. By all accounts, the Trading Standards recall list is totally inadequate. As far as I can tell, it simply lists the latest 50 recalls. There is no facility to search or even view the archives, let alone filter the results by manufacturer or product type. Electrical Safety First publishes a much better recall list that can be filtered and searched. However, in practice a recall list only serves as a means for a consumer to check an item that they already suspect is part of a recall, having been made aware of it through other means.
The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances has recently introduced an appliance registration system. Although it relies on consumers taking the time to register their products on the system, it makes it possible for manufacturers to contact consumers directly. Go to registermyappliance.org.uk for more information and to register your electrical products.
Grenfell Tower Fire
Following the fire at the Grenfell Tower in June 2017, which is believed to have been started by a Hotpoint fridge freezer, London Fire Brigade has started a ‘Total Recalls Campaign’. The campaign is calling on manufacturers and the government to implement changes to improve the product recall system for electrical goods in the UK. The campaign is calling for:
- • A single, publicly accessible register of product recalls
- • To include international recalls on the UK recall register
- • Publicise recalls better to reduce confusion
- • Publish risk assessments when a fault is identified
- • Greater regulation of secondhand appliances
- • Changes to the way fridges and freezers are manufactured
- • Mark all appliances with model and serial numbers
- • Include sleeping risk as a factor in risk assessments
Update (January 2018) - Office for Product Safety and Standards
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is a new government organisation with the responsibility for all consumer products (excluding vehicles, medicines and food). The OPSS publishes a searchable list of product safety alerts, reports and recalls.