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Deficiencies in safety labeling – focus on online platforms
Swimming aids such as swim rings, armbands, or life jackets are an essential part of summer holidays for many families. To ensure that swimming fun doesn't become a danger for children, the Darmstadt Regional Council (RP) now conducted random checks of swimming aids from retailers and online platforms – with some sobering results: Products from online retailers, in particular, exhibit significant labeling deficiencies that are relevant to safety.
Missing information for online products
During inspections, basic information such as warnings and safety instructions , a product name , or the address of a responsible EU company . Particularly serious was the fact that many online products were not labeled in German or were available without any understandable instructions at all. The Darmstadt Regional Council will focus more intently on inspecting such online products , as these are especially prone to regulatory violations.
Labeling requirements for toys and protective equipment
The legal requirements differ depending on the type of product:
- Toy swimming aids (e.g. swim rings) must be marked CE mark , a German product name , the address of the EU product manager , warnings (e.g. "Use only under adult supervision!") and instructions for use in German
- Personal protective equipment such as life jackets, buoyancy aids, or buoyancy discs is subject to stricter requirements. In addition to the information mentioned above, they must include a declaration of conformity specification of the standard EN 13138-1 and pictograms for correct use are also mandatory
An important note for consumers: Age and weight specifications should always be considered when making a purchase.
Consumer protection and fair competition
Market surveillance by the Darmstadt Regional Council is part of a Europe-wide product safety system. It not only protects consumers but also ensures fair competition for reputable manufacturers and retailers. "Unsafe, cheap products must not be allowed to gain an unfair advantage," the Regional Council stated.
Further information on market surveillance and product safety can be found on the official website of RP Darmstadt .
(Darmstadt - Red/RP)
