Electrical Product Recalls

Research by Electrical Safety First estimates that around 4 million recalled electrical appliances are still being used in UK homes and businesses. The average success rate of a product recall is typically between 10% and 20%, meaning the vast majority of unsafe products remain in circulation.

This is particularly relevant to anyone selling second-hand electrical goods, including charity shops and landlords supplying furnished properties.

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 recall also includes models sold under the Neff and Siemens brands. Affected appliances have batch numbers within the range FD 7901 to FD 8504. bosch-home.co.uk

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

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

Manufacturers are required to notify Trading Standards of safety recalls. These are then published via official channels such as the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). However, unlike vehicle recalls, where manufacturers can trace owners through DVLA records, there is no centralised ownership database for electrical appliances. As a result, most recalls rely on public notices, websites and media coverage, which significantly reduces their effectiveness.

Historically, the Trading Standards recall list has been limited in functionality, making it difficult for consumers to search or filter older recalls. This has improved in recent years with the introduction of searchable databases, but awareness remains low.

Trading Standards Product Recalls

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.

Why This Matters for Businesses and Landlords

Anyone supplying electrical equipment, whether as part of a furnished rental property, workplace environment, or through the resale of second-hand goods, has a legal duty to ensure that the equipment is safe. Supplying an appliance that has been subject to a recall could expose the supplier to significant liability.

This is particularly relevant to anyone selling second-hand electrical goods, including charity shops and landlords providing furnished accommodation. Checking for product recalls should form part of any due diligence process before an appliance is supplied.

Product recalls form an important part of electrical safety management. However, recalls should never be relied upon as the sole method of identifying unsafe equipment. Regular inspection and testing remains essential.

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.