Product safety reportOPSS
Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy safety warning over harmful chemicals
Product Safety Report for Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy presenting a serious chemical risk.
What to do now
The problem with Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level.
- Take it away from children now and stop using it.
- Wash your hands after handling it.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- skin redness, itching or a rash where it touched
Get help urgently
- if a child has chewed or swallowed part of it and is unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2305-0006). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy presenting a serious chemical risk.
The risk
The product presents a serious chemical risk as the suction cups contain excessive concentrations of phthalates. When tested, it was found to contain 0.2 ± 0.01% DEHP, giving a potential range of 0.19 - 0.21% DEHP. The sample therefore exceeds the specified maximum limit of 0.1% by mass of the plasticised material, as the sum of the four phthalates. A young child playing with the product is exposed to the phthalates which can potentially harm a child’s health via cancer or non-cancer effects. The product also does not possess the required markings and labelling.
The product does not meet the requirements of the REACH Regulations 2008 or the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Action taken
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.
Advice to consumers
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.
Additional information
PSD case number: 2305-0006
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Soft-filled ‘skeleton zombie’ character plush contained in a plastic bag. The bag bore a sticker which was marked inter alia with an age and small parts warning with respect to children under three years of age. There was no labelling or marking present on the toy itself and no CE/UKCA mark was present.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy been reported?
The problem with Skeleton Zombie Plush Toy is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Take it away from children now and stop using it. Wash your hands after handling it.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
