Actually, the Lama-hearted. The white animal is fluffy, wears a red cap, and it can even sing and with the butt wiggle. But the impression is deceptive. The “Moving and Singing Christmas Llama” of the retailer Claire’s has it fist-thick behind the ears. Choking and fire hazard to exist when handling the stuffed animal, according to the Swiss Federal Consumer Affairs Bureau (fcab) am1. March. The Lama must be called back.

The Lama is not alone. More than a dozen Product recalls this year. The range from child-Bircher muesli with accidentally processed Apple stems over fire-dangerous speaker to infringing pop-in cartridge. The cadence is increasing.

In the past year, the fcab released 93 product recalls and safety warnings. This is a Plus of 37 percent compared to the previous year, when there were calls 68. Ten years ago there were only 30 callbacks distributed over the whole year.

And: There is also a dark call number. The Numbers of the BFK alone were not representative, says Reto Wick, pity the inspector, the insurer Helvetia. “There are numerically more “silent withdrawals” from the market.” This means, for example, that a manufacturer or seller to the consumer without a public call to identify and compensate. Often it is enough then to take the product from the market.

In the eyes of Sara Stalder, managing Director of the Foundation for consumer protection , is the regulation in Switzerland, which relates to recalls, not strict enough. Thousands of items and food would be annually established in the EU. “And much of it is actually being sold in Switzerland.” In this country, was to leave very much to chance and individual providers, when to decide for a call back. Stalder, Switzerland follows the EU-recall portal Rapex.

Long chains, dangerous delivery weaknesses

But why there are more and more recalls? “We assume that there are a number of reasons,” says Matthias Gehrig, the office for Consumer Affairs for the subject. At least one is pretty obvious: There are simply more products. And more products is also more potential for error.

The BFK but also the increase in the complexity of supply chains as one of the reasons for the frequent recalls. In other words: a Lot of companies lose track of where the parts are in their products. The have a worrying effect, says Jörg Bertogg, head of corporate business at Zurich insurance: You will note that piracy is a growing Problem. “More and more fake components suppliers to enter the devices from brand-name producers, the otherwise very high quality. This leads to companies having to recall their products in part.” The manufacturer would not know is usually that fake components in your product are processed.

“the longer the supply chain is and the more companies and producers are involved, the more likely there are vulnerabilities, which Criminals fake and substandard components can inject,” said Bertogg. Particularly for smaller companies, call-backs could quickly become an existential Problem. “The recall alone is hugely expensive, add to that the cost of replacement with defect-free machines.” Even worse, it will, when people by the erroneous addition of machines, injuries and medical costs. Also, the loss of reputation is a risk.

The positive effect: in praise of the customers

But callbacks need not necessarily be bad for the Reputation. The transparency, which is associated with a callback that will be appreciated by consumers. It enhances and sometimes even the confidence in a company or a brand. The has noticed the Migros. “The customers react almost always positive,” says a spokesperson of the retailer. “You are glad you will be informed.” And Coop it says: “according to Experience, appreciate our customers, that we will call back in an open and transparent communicate.”

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 03.03.2019, 00:04 Uhr