Dangerous USB chargers recalled by consumer protection authority

USB chargers are found in almost every household, but not all of them are a safe solution for consumers. The National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) has investigated USB chargers to identify non-compliant products that pose a risk. The investigation found that 87% of the products didn’t meet safety standards and the authority took immediate action to withdraw the devices from the market.

A comprehensive safety review of the product range has been carried out in previous years. The high non-conformity rate of more than 90 percent justified a new audit. During the sample check, government officials collected products at various points of sale, both traditional and online. NATCP's laboratory tests confirmed that chargers posing an electric shock hazard can be obtained not only from lesser-known sources but also from popular online stores. Out of the 101 products received, 88 failed to meet the standard, resulting 87.13 percent of the products being refused.

The laboratory tests were carried out to check the electrical strength of the insulation, the dimensions of the socket and the design of the products combined with the road converter. The most common cause of shock hazards is inadequate separation of the power supply and the extra low voltage parts.

Consumers may be misled by the fact that the packaging of the tested chargers often appears to be of high quality and sophisticated, making it difficult to determine whether a charger may present safety risks by looking at it when buying it. There have also been cases where replicas of well-known consumer brands or products marked "aftermarket" have been offered for sale. These products have invariably failed the test.

Dr. Lilla Német-Weingartner, President of the NATCP, pointed out to consumers that "always choose a charger from a reliable, certified source, and avoid products of unknown origin or suspiciously cheap products, even if they look right on the outside. The consumer protection authority considers it of the highest importance to remove dangerous products from the market and to inform consumers."

The NATCP and government offices will continue to carry out checks and do their utmost to ensure the safety of consumers. If a product is found to present a risk, the authorities will ensure that it is removed from the market to prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers.