Advertisement

Gadget supplier fined $50,000 for illegally affixing safety stamps on unregistered PMD charging adapters

E-scooter rider pleads guilty over accident that left housewife in coma
FILE PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore

SINGAPORE — A gadget supplier was fined $50,000 on Tuesday (8 October) for affixing “Safety Mark” stickers on unregistered charging adapters for personal mobility devices (PMDs) and then supplying the unregistered adapters to retailers.

A media release by Enterprise Singapore on the same day said that the company, iPassion Group Pte Ltd, pleaded guilty to 15 charges of failing to comply with the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR). Another 34 charges for similar offences were taken into consideration.

SOURCE: Enterprise Singapore
SOURCE: Enterprise Singapore

22 unregistered models sold

Enterprise Singapore had began investigations on iPassion in April 2016 following consumer feedback, and they found that iPassion was supplying 30 different adapter models bearing the “Safety Mark” stickers, together with the PMDs sold. This did not match with records which reflected that iPassion had registered only eight different adapter models as of April 2016.

The eight models were issued and affixed with a valid sticker, each with a unique eight-digit registration number. The other 22 unregistered models were affixed with stickers issued to the registered ones.

Enterprise Singapore seized over 900 unregistered charging adapters from iPassion, which was also ordered to recall the affected models sold between 31 March 2015 and 24 May 2016. More than 90 per cent of the affected adapters have since been recalled.

“Consumers might have been misled to believe that the unregistered adapters met the requirements under CPSR and complied with the regulations,” Enterprise Singapore said in its media release.

“We take a serious view towards suppliers who do not comply with the requirements under CPSR, including those who knowingly or unknowingly affix ‘Safety Mark’ stickers on unregistered Controlled Goods, and will not hesitate to take legal action.”

Safety considerations when buying adapters

Under CPSR, suppliers of 33 categories of Controlled Goods, including charging adapters, must ensure these products are type-tested, certified to meet relevant safety standards, registered with Enterprise Singapore, and affixed with a “Safety Mark” sticker before they can be supplied, displayed and advertised for sale in Singapore.

Any person found guilty of selling unregistered Controlled Goods can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to two years.

Consumers are encouraged to take into account safety considerations when buying and using charging adapters. They should:

  • Look out for a valid “Safety Mark” sticker. Search through the Register of Controlled Goods to check if the product has been registered with Enterprise Singapore;

  • Avoid purchasing third-party adapters and chargers that are not from the original suppliers;

  • Approach the supplier to replace any faulty adapter and avoid repairing it on your own.

Consumers can report product safety issues to Enterprise Singapore at 1800-773-3163 or consumerprotection@enterprisesg.gov.sg. For consumer safety tips, visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/safety-tips. For information on registration of Controlled Goods, suppliers can visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/cpsr

Other Singapore stories:

Youths who pursue political causes should know how to spot 'charlatans': Shanmugam

Circuit Road murder trial: Accused says he loved NUH nurse, unintentionally killed her in fit of rage

Childcare leave on per-child basis may hurt employability of some parents: Josephine Teo