THE COMPETITION AND Consumer Protection Commission has seized 1,400 “hoverboards” at Dublin Port.
The Smart Balance Wheels were prevented from entering the Irish market due to what the commission says are “significant safety concerns”.
In early November, Customs Authorities notified the Commission about the arrival of the shipment. The commission’s product safety division then examined a sample of the products and identified a number of serious safety concerns which resulted in their importation being suspended.
The goods are due to be returned to the country of their origin.
The commission has opened further investigations and is engaging with a number of businesses who supply similar products, or who are planning to place them on sale in Ireland.
Isolde Goggin on the commission said there were a number of issues with the boards.
“Following the examination, the commission was concerned that consumers may be at risk should the AC adapter/charger or the battery pack overheat and potentially cause a fire. Our investigation is ongoing but at this point we are aware that similar products are on sale here and we are investigating to determine whether these products meet the relevant Irish and EU safety standards.
“The commission strongly urges consumers, who wish to buy a Hoverboard, to make sure that the manufacturer’s name or trademark is visible on the packaging and critically that it has a genuine CE mark.”
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