Poundworld fined £190,000 for selling faulty phone chargers and THOUSANDS could be at risk
More than 72,000 charger kits have been sold but loose wires could pose a risk of fire or electric shock
POUNDWORLD have been ordered to pay £190,000 in fines for selling faulty phone chargers with fake safety certificates - and thousands of shoppers could be at risk in the run up to Christmas.
Over 72,000 dodgy phone charging kits were sold by retail giant Poundworld, which has 340 stores around Britain.
A court heard there is no evidence as to how many Poundworld has successfully recalled at its Discount UK and Bargain Buys store around the country.
Spot tests also revealed that loose wires could post a fire or electric shock risk and that the shop ignored orders for a "rapid" recall.
Poundworld said it had since improved the business' product testing procedures and the charges are no longer on sale.
Customers who bought the 'Complete Smart Phone Charger Kit' have been urged to stop using it immediately and to check with their local Trading Standards team.
A trading standards spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who has bought a Complete Smart Phone Charger Kit to stop using it immediately and check with the store or with their local Trading Standards team."
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The discount retailer, which has 6,000 employees, was taken to court by Carmarthenshire County Council, West Wales, after spot checks discovered the faults in the £1 chargers.
It was fined £166,00 with another £24,000 in fines and costs after admitting failing to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the consumer protection act.
Judge Richard Williams said Poundworld Retail Ltd failed to exercise due diligence in testing and instead only paid 'lip service' to essential testing procedures.
Judge Williams said: "During the investigation it was found that the adaptor did not have adequate insulation and was not designed to ensure protection against hazards or overloads.
"Loose wires gave risk of fire or electric shock and internal connections relied on solder alone to maintain their position."
The court heard Poundworld was asked to issue a 'rapid alert' but it failed to do so and instead posted recall notices in its stores.
Judge Williams described their recall attempt as 'tardy' and said Poundworld had made little real effort to recall the kits or prevent their continued use.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS SAFE?
Unless your electrical products are registered than it's very difficult to track them down. You can do this at www.registermyappliance.org.uk.
You will need the brand name, model number, serial number and purchase date.
It will alert you via email if an item is recalled.
Poundworld had said the chargers were tested at an independent laboratory in China.
But it was later revealed that the products had not been tested at all - and that the safety certificates provided by the laboratory were forged.
Judge Williams told the magistrates court in Cwmbran, Gwent, that the fines reflected 'aggravating features' in the way Northampton-based Poundworld handled the case.
Cllr Jim Jones, Carmarthenshire County Council's Executive Board member for Public Protection, said: "I wish to thank our Trading Standards officers and legal team who worked extremely hard to bring this case to a successful prosecution.
"We are pleased that Judge Williams has imposed a fine proportionate to the severity of Poundworld's culpability and the serious risk of harm to its customers.
"This case will have ramifications for discount retailers across the country - we're proud of our efforts to protect consumers not just in Carmarthenshire, but across the whole of the UK."
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