Product safety reportOPSS
Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket sold on Etsy safety warning over a drowning risk
Product Safety Report for Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket presenting a serious risk of drowning.
Do not use it for swimming or bathing.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
What to do now
The hazard with Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket sold on Etsy is drowning: it may not keep someone afloat or safe in water.
- Do not use it for swimming or bathing.
- Never leave a child alone in or near water, even for a moment.
- This is a safety report rather than a manufacturer recall: the listing has been taken down, but the seller may not contact you. Get in touch with the seller through the marketplace.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Drowning is fast and silent. Bath seats, inflatables and swim aids can give a false sense of security.
Getting your money back
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order.
If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2402-0048). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket presenting a serious risk of drowning.
The risk
The product has been assessed as presenting a serious risk of drowning. The product was advertised as a life jacket, but once purchased was identified as a buoyancy aid (which does not provide the same level of protection).
The product was not supplied with the required compliance documentation or markings to demonstrate that they have been adequately conformity assessed. Mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a body authorised for PPE is required by the relevant Regulations for those products which protect against more serious risks, the absence of such independent assessment for such a product may increase the risk to the consumer that the product may not perform as expected when relied upon as a buoyancy aid.
The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.
Action taken
We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Etsy).
Advice to consumers
We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Etsy).
Additional information
PSD number: 2402-0048
Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product description
Yellow and grey cover colour. Vest style buoyancy aid with centre front KAM zip (grey) with multiple adjustment hardware (front black plastic webbing adjusters with 25mm grey webbing, four black plastic webbing side adjusters with 38mm grey webbing, twin black plastic webbing shoulder adjusters with 38mm grey webbing). Two large front zipped pockets and back mesh pouch.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket sold on Etsy been reported?
The hazard with Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket sold on Etsy is drowning: it may not keep someone afloat or safe in water. Drowning is fast and silent. Bath seats, inflatables and swim aids can give a false sense of security.
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?
Do not use it for swimming or bathing. Never leave a child alone in or near water, even for a moment.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order. If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
Where was Tear-resistant Fabric 1-Size Life Jacket sold on Etsy sold?
The notice names Etsy. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
