Guidelines for product recalls
This section provides a 'how-to' guide for businesses undertaking a product recall.
In this section
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What a recall is
A product recall is any corrective action taken to remedy a product safety issue that's identified after a product has been manufactured.
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When to recall a product
A product recall may be required if goods have been supplied that will or may cause injury to any person or contravene an unsafe goods notice or prescribed product safety standard.
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Who should be involved
Everyone in the supply chain has a role in a product recall. Who coordinates the recall depends on who is best placed to do so.
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Managing a recall
If a recall is required, Trading Standards can provide help and advice to whoever will be managing it. The earlier you can involve us the better.
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What you must tell us
You must inform Trading Standards about a product recall within 2 days of the recall being made public, but we encourage you to let us know as early as possible.
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What's required in a recall notice
For a recall notice you need details of the defective product, clear photographs of the product and a freephone number in New Zealand.
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Publicising a recall
The aim of publicising a recall is to get the message to everybody who may be affected by the unsafe product.
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What to do with recalled products
If a recalled product can't be modified or repaired to make it safe to use, it should be disposed of so that it can't be used again.