Watchdog condemns Maclaren for failure to recall faulty buggy
The decision by Maclaren not to order a recall of its child buggies in Ireland was "unacceptable", the National Consumer Agency (NCA) has said.
The consumer watchdog made the comment after it emerged that 12 children in the US have lost fingertips in buggy mishaps.
Maclaren is now recalling a million pushchairs in the US after the children were injured when they caught their fingers in the hinges of the product.
However, as the buggies fully comply with European safety legislation, Maclaren said it was not legally obliged to order a recall in Europe, including Ireland.
The NCA said Irish children deserve as much protection as US children.
"NCA is continuing its attempts to clarify the difference in approach between the Irish [EU] and US markets and is awaiting a response from Maclaren," a spokeswoman said.
She added: "We do not accept that differences in the regulatory systems in the EU and the USA can justify a different response when the welfare of children is concerned.
"Under Article 5 (3) of the General Product Safety Directive, all producers of consumer products must inform the competent authorities when they know that a product that they have placed on the market poses a risk to consumers."
Maclaren stated a product recall in the US is different from a European recall.
It said that instead of a recall in Ireland, extra warnings will be put on its buggies.
The models affected are single and double umbrella pushchairs, including the popular Volo, Techno and Quest models.
Maclaren is providing customers and retailers in the US with a kit to cover the 'elbow-joint' on the hinge.
A spokesperson for Maclaren Europe said customers "should continue to use their existing Maclaren buggies since they are safe when opened and closed correctly".
It advised consumers to "take the same level of caution and care as when opening or closing a car door".
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced this week a voluntary recall of all Maclaren strollers sold since 1999. They warned owners to stop using the buggies until they could be fitted with the special hinge cover.
comurphy@herald.ie
- Cormac Murphy
