Children's clothing being withdrawn from the market – They present a health and safety risk

The Consumer Protection Service (CSP) of the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, as the competent authority in Cyprus for the operation and management of the European Rapid Information Exchange System for Dangerous Products that are not foodstuffs, informs consumers that during the week of 25-31/07 /2022 (RAPEX – Report 30) 27 products that pose a risk to their health and safety have been notified to the System. These products were detected on the markets of various member states of the European Union and subsequently notified to the RAPEX Safety Gate System.

Consumers can find out about dangerous products on the YPK website at www.consumer.gov.cy.

The 27 products were distributed for market control purposes as follows:

ž Eight (8) to the Consumer Protection Service, with two (2) of them having been notified to the system by Cyprus.

ž Twelve (12) in the Pharmaceutical Services Department.

ž Three (3) in the Department of Labor Inspection.

ž Three (3) in the Road Transport Department.

ž One (1) in the Electromechanical Services Department.

The products related to the Consumer Protection Service as well as the corresponding risks involved are described in the table here.

RECOMMENDATIONS - WARNINGS

It is noted that of the above eight (8) products, two (2) have been initially identified by the YPK in the Cyprus market (without having previously been identified in the other member countries) and it has proceeded with their seizure and withdrawal. The rest of the products are likely to be on the Cypriot market and directly threaten the health and safety of consumers and especially children. The Consumer Protection Service has already started intensive checks of the market for any detection of the products.

The Consumer Protection Service invites importers, distributors, sellers who may have such products to immediately stop their availability and notify the Service.

The Consumer Protection Service also invites consumers in case they own the above products to stop using them and return them to the seller, ie from the store from which they have purchased them and at the same time to inform it.

It is noted that according to the Consumer Protection Law of 2021, in case of purchase of an unsafe product, the consumer is entitled to replace the product, so that the product complies with the terms of the contract of sale. If this is not possible, then the consumer is entitled to withdraw, ie to return the product to the seller and get back the full amount paid. It is reminded that the above rights are valid for a period of two (2) years from the initial delivery of the product to the consumer and that the sole responsibility for the consumer always lies with the final seller.

In the event that the seller refuses to comply with the above rights of the consumer, the consumer is invited to submit his complaint in writing through the website of the Consumer Protection Service (www.consumer.gov.cy).