50% imported protective gears found faulty

The Customs authorities have found defects in almost half of the incoming consignments of personal protective equipment, said a press release.

In autumn 2017 and at the turn of the year, the Customs and the Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) carried out intensified controls of personal protective equipment meant for the consumer market.

The controls focused on protective equipment used in sports and on eye protection equipment used for fireworks.

The items on which the control authorities focused on included ski helmets, ski back protectors, protective equipment for motorcyclists, swim goggles and protective eyewear.

They checked the products for CE markings and user instructions in Finnish and Swedish.

The Customs authorities also asked the importers to present the relevant documents on the products. Customs intercepted consignments suspected of containing personal protective equipment meant for the consumer market that fell under the scope of intensified controls. Customs checked nine consignments that contained 1-16 personal protective items of different types. Four of the consignments involved defects. Consignments that did not have CE markings or an EC certificate of conformity were not allowed to enter the market.