The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ordered recalls on two distinct products due to their risk of causing fires.
Lithium-ion batteries were cited as the source for fire hazards in both the Anker and Belkin recalls. The CPSC says that recalled lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of in accordance with any local and state ordinances.
- Consumers shouldn’t toss these batteries in the trash or deposit them in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores.
- Earlier this year, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation intended to make lithium-ion batteries safer.
Anker Recall
While Anker does operate in the promotional marketplace, the recalled Bluetooth speakers weren’t listed as promotional products.
- Gemline, which ranks as PPAI 100’s No. 11 supplier and received high marks in Responsibility, accounts for the vast majority of Anker’s promo products.
The CPSC says that the roughly 69,000 units recalled in the United States (and more than 9,700 recalled in Canada) were sold exclusively online through Amazon from March 2023 through October 2023.
Anker has received 33 reports of incidents involving the lithium-ion batteries in the speakers overheating, some of those involving incidents of smoking and small fires, including one minor burn injury in connection with an overheating unit. The CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the recalled speakers, and ensure they are powered off and not connected to any external power source or charger.
Belkin Recall
While Belkin also operates in the promotional marketplace, the recalled powered banks weren’t listed as promotional products.
- HIRSCH, which ranks as PPAI 100’s No. 20 supplier, accounts for the vast majority of Belkin’s promo products.
“We’re not impacted by the Belkin recall, as none of our SKUs were listed, but we’re confident that Belkin will address these concerns quickly,” says Paul Hirsch, MAS, CEO of HIRSCH, PPAI 100’s No. 20 supplier.
The CPSC says that the roughly 4,000 units recalled in the U.S. (and 62 recalled in Canada) were sold online at Amazon, belkin.com and other websites from May 2023 through June 2024.
Belkin has received one report of the recalled power bank catching fire, resulting in a house fire involving property damage. The CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Belkin to receive a full refund or store credit.
RELATED: New Bill Targets E-Bikes, E-Scooters With Lithium-Ion Batteries
Promo Perspective
Any promo company branching out into products that inherently have any possibility of fire or burn injuries must make sure to take all available precautions.
- It is imperative that promo firms strictly adhere to compliance, not only for the sake of the law, but to ensure the safety of end users.
At PPAI’s Product Responsibility Summit in September, a panel was held discussing how to handle the possibility of being ordered to recall a product and the steps that need to be taken. In that situation, complying with the CPSC is absolutely critical, but the next priority is being intentional with messaging surrounding the recall.
“It’s important to move fast, but it’s also important to move smartly,” said Neal Cohen of Neal Cohen Law.
“You need to control everything, especially what the person says,” added Rick Brenner, president of Product Safety Advisors. “Yes, you want to be empathetic and show concern, [but] there should be a very disciplined and scripted response of what they can say, and the escalation process of who does what next.”
Written by: John Corrigan
Published with Permission from PPAI
