‘Unacceptable’ for Maclaren not to order a recall here

THE National Consumer Agency (NCA) has said it is unacceptable for pushchair manufacturers Maclaren not to order a product recall in this country after it emerged that 12 American children had their fingertips cut off in buggy-related accidents.

The company announced yesterday that a million folding pushchairs in America were being recalled after reports that 12 children lost their fingertips when they were caught in hinges.

As the products fully comply with European safety legislation, Maclaren said yesterday it was not legally obliged to order a European recall.

The NCA yesterday said that Irish children deserve as much protection as American 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.

“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,” a spokeswoman said.

Maclaren also stated yesterday that a product recall in the United States is different from a European recall and that the US products will not have to be returned to the manufacturer, but “are an alert to a potential safety risk”.

All Maclaren single and double umbrella pushchairs, including the popular Volvo and Techno models, were voluntarily recalled in the US by the firm, which said it was providing customers and retailers with a kit to cover the ‘elbow-joint’ on the hinge mechanism.

The company admitted that there were “a lower number of similar reported incidents” among Maclaren users in Europe.

“In the US the term product recall has an entirely different meaning. It means corrective action or the modification of products which can be carried out in the home.

“In response to accidents which occurred when buggies were not operated in line with instructions and safety guidelines, our US company decided to voluntarily supply kits to cover the elbow joint as a safety measure,” a spokeswoman said.

The Maclaren website is being updated to give consumers clear advice and operating instructions.

www.maclarenbaby.com