Question

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether Enterprise Singapore (ESG) has the power to recall products which present a safety risk to consumers including electrical appliances and refrigerators that are found or suspected to be the cause of fires and other serious safety issues; (b) if not, what are the available measures to address safety concerns over potentially defective or dangerous products; and (c) what are the factors that ESG takes into account before triggering such measures.

Oral Answer (to be attributed to Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Chan Chun Sing)

1. Under the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions and Safety Requirements) Act, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) can require a supplier of Registered Controlled Goods to effect a recall and inform users of the potential dangers of goods that pose safety hazards. Certain categories of household electrical, electronic and gas products, including refrigerators and some electrical appliances are considered Registered Controlled Goods. ESG will disallow the supply of such goods when investigations indicate that the product is unsafe. A recall could be ordered if there are found to be uncertified modifications, incorrect testing, or incorrect certification, as well as other reasons that could lead to a significant public safety risk.