If a product poses a risk

All products must comply with statutory requirements and be as safe as can be reasonably expected given the product group in question.

For example, an electrical product must not cause a risk of electric shock, or toys for children under 3 years of age must not have small parts that can come loose.  However, tools like knives must be sharp so that they can be used for cutting, but on the other hand, soft toys must not have blades that can cause similar injuries.

If a product poses a risk and does not comply with statutory requirements, Tukes can take the necessary measures and, for example, require that the sale of the product is suspended.

Information on products that are found to be dangerous or non-compliant can be found in the following sources, among others:

What to do if a product poses a risk

If you notice that a product is dangerous, always start by contacting the company you purchased the product from. Contact the company as soon as possible after noticing the defect. Negotiate with the company for a repair, replacement, compensation or complete cancellation of the sale.

Report the product to Tukes

(Report form in Finnish, Market surveillance register). It is also possible to submit the report anonymously.

Report the product to Tukes even if you had a full refund or a new product, or the company repaired the defective product. This is important because even if everything hopefully came up roses in your case, some other person using the product may not be as lucky. After being informed, Tukes can take the necessary measures. Each company is, for its own part, responsible for ensuring that the products are safe.

Tukes has no authority to order payment of damages or compensation to the consumer. Tukes does not monitor the realisation of the Consumer Protection Act.

If you cannot reach an agreement with the company

If you cannot reach an agreement with the company on the procedure concerning your product, it is advisable to consult the consumer rights advisors or the European Consumer Centre for guidance. Contact a consumer advisor or the European Consumer Centre if, for example, the company cannot repair the product and does not want to cancel the sale or replace the product with a flawless one.

The consumer rights advisors will advice in disputes with companies located in Finland, and the European Consumer Centre can help you if you have made a purchase, for example, from an online store of a company located in another EU Member State, Norway or Iceland.

Tukes has no authority over companies located outside Finland. However, Tukes can request the relevant authorities of another country to investigate the issue, provided that the company in question is located in another EU or EEA state.

What to do if a product poses a risk

Safe product
The starting point is that all products must comply with statutory requirements and be as safe as can be reasonably expected.

Report a dangerous product to the company
If you notice that a product is dangerous, contact the company you purchased the product from as soon as possible. Negotiate with the company for a repair, replacement, compensation or complete cancellation of the sale.

Report the product to Tukes
After being informed, Tukes can take the necessary measures.

If necessary, contact a consumer advisor
If you cannot reach an agreement with the seller on the defective product, contact a consumer advisor.

Foreign online store
The European Consumer Centre may help you with the negotiations with the seller if you have purchased a defective product from another EU Member State, Norway or Iceland, for example, from an online store.

Example

A product caused harm but the seller refuses to compensate

Maija was recharging her hoverboard when some kind of a malfunction occurred, and it started to smoke and burst into flames. Luckily Maija was around and managed to extinguish the fire almost immediately. The recharging hoverboard was in the same room as all of the family’s winter and formal clothes, such as a very valuable national costume. The smell of smoke clung to the clothes, a big hole burned to the national costume, and the hoverboard became unusable.

Maija contacts the seller of the hoverboard and tries to agree on damage compensation, but the seller refuses to cooperate.

Maija turns to the consumer rights advisors and together they try to make the seller refund the unusable hoverboard.

As the faulty product has damaged other goods in addition to itself or people, Maija considers applying for compensation pursuant to the legislation on compensation for damage, such as the Product Liability Act (694/1990). However, Maija would then have to fight the compensation case independently in the district court. Maija has no legal expenses insurance, so she checks whether she is eligible for legal aid

Frequently asked questions

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