More than 15,000 dangerous products pulled off Abu Dhabi shelves

Recalled products range from children's toys to extension cords.

ABU DHABI // Consumer watchdogs have pulled more than 15,000 dangerous products from shop shelves since July last year.

They range from children’s toys to electrical extension cords and include toasters, electric barbecues, fans, juicers and cookers.

A Chinese electric toy gun from Cheng Jun Toys was recalled because it had sharp points that could have injured children. Another Chinese product, an oven toaster from Palson, was withdrawn because a vital component could not withstand extreme heat.

Baby toys with small, rattling parts were also withdrawn because the small components could cause suffocation or asphyxiation.

All the products that have been recalled are listed, pictured and searchable on a website set up by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), as part of a new consumer-rights campaign.

“This is the first interactive product recall and incident reporting system in the region, where consumers can take pictures of the suspected or faulty products and report them to the council,” said Abdalla Hassan Al Muaini of the council.

Consumers can complain about a variety of products, though the council’s speciality is non-food and non-pharmaceutical products.

Any product designed and produced primarily for, but not limited to, personal use, including its components, parts, accessories, instructions and packaging, come under the QCC.

The campaign is called Manaa, Arabic for “to prevent”, and the website allows consumers to report unsafe products as well as view already recalled products. A Manaa app is also available to download.

The site’s easy interface allows consumers to provide their feedback by completing a form, recording a voice message or by providing contact details and requesting a response from a customer service representative.

The authority is also collaborating with international companies that supply products to the UAE so they know the standards required and try to meet them.

Mr Al Muaini said: “Now we are in the process of collaborating with different organisations and entities locally and all over the world.

“When it is determined that a product isn’t safe, the council would request the supplier either refunds or replaces the product.”

The council will also inform other emirates of the products it recalls through the relevant federal bodies.

“If we come to a decision that a particular product should be recalled from Abu Dhabi’s market, we talk to our federal counterpart and give them the list of products recalled and they will be responsible to recall it from other emirates,” Mr Al Muaini said.

Abdulla Al Khoori, acting executive director at the QCC, said: “The launch of the system comes at a time when more than 15,000 products have been recalled from the Abu Dhabi market since the beginning of our product safety surveillance services in 2012.”

The council urged consumers to participate in the initiative and use the Manaa website to promote safe markets.

QCC promise to respond to complaints within 48 hours based on the complexity and availability of information.

“We buy and test the products at the laboratory but the entire process would not take more than two weeks,” Mr Al Muaini said.

The Manaa portal features a tab for users to follow up on the status of their feedback and complaints.