London, United Kingdom — Consumers across the UK have been urged by government officials to check if their various electronic devices, including laptops, smartphones, and smartwatches, are on a critical recall list. This action comes amidst concerns that products manufactured by the China-based Dorland company may cause fire and explosions due to safety compliance failures.
The nationwide alert was issued after assessments led by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) found that these technological items, purportedly designed for use in potentially explosive environments like petrochemical sites, did not meet UK safety standards. Though marketed as resistant to explosion, water, dust, and shocks, these claims have now drawn significant scrutiny regarding their veracity.
Specifically, the Dorland Extreme 5G Industrial ‘Intrinsically Safe’ Smartphone, operating on Android 11, is among the ten devices listed. These products were promoted on renowned online marketplaces, appealing particularly to professionals working in high-risk areas.
During their investigation, the OPSS highlighted a major red flag: the devices lacked the essential safety markings required for electronics used in hazardous zones known as Zone 1 and Zone 2. Moreover, the OPSS criticized the company’s lack of proper conformity assessments prior to launching these products in the British market.
In response to these findings, the government formally issued a recall notice on April 7, signaling the urgency of the situation. Owners of the affected devices have been instructed to pause usage and await further directives concerning the return and refund procedures from Amazon, where many of these items were sold.
The recall of Dorland’s electronic products serves as a reminder of the critical nature of strict adherence to safety norms and regulations, particularly when it comes to devices intended for use in dangerous settings. In recent times, similar health and safety concerns have led to the recall of other consumer products in the UK. Notably, the popular retailer TK Maxx halted sales of Byblos Blu Happy Hour Eau De Toilette earlier this year due to unauthorized chemicals that posed allergy risks.
Moreover, the grocery chain, Sainsbury’s, also took swift action by recalling its Taste the Difference Belgian Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Pretzel bars after discovering they could contain metal fragments.
These series of recalls underscore the ongoing challenges and the necessary vigilance required in product safety standards to protect consumers. It also highlights the vital role that government agencies like OPSS play in monitoring and enforcing these standards to prevent potential harm to public health and safety.