Manufacturers must stop making fridges and freezers with potentially flammable plastic backing, a consumer group has warned.
Which? has written to manufacturers to urge them to stop using non-flame retardant backing on fridges, freezers and fridge freezers as it described the current British Standard on cold appliances “deficient” and “inadequate”.
The watchdog called on manufacturers to “do the right thing” by taking immediate voluntary action to end production of these appliances and to agree to bring in tougher safety standards that no longer allowed the material to be used.
Which? said it had significant concerns about the safety of some fridges, freezers and fridge freezers on the UK market and had stopped recommending the purchase of any model with non-flame retardant plastic backing, removing best buys from dozens of models across its sites.
It is also highlighting information on the backing material type for all individual refrigeration appliances on its website, noting concerns on more than 230 models.
It follows evidence from London Fire Brigade indicating that the risk of a fire spreading is greater with non-flame retardant plastic-backed models.
However it said it was not calling for a full recall as refrigerator fires were rare, with its own 2015 research into government fire data finding that only 7% of fires caused by faulty appliances were caused by fridge freezers, fridges or freezers.
Alex Neill, managing director of Which? home and product services, said: “People who already have one of these models in their homes shouldn’t be alarmed, but our advice is that no-one should purchase one from new.
“Manufacturers must immediately stop making fridges, freezers and fridge freezers to a standard that they know is clearly deficient and inadequate, and could potentially be putting people’s lives at risk.
“This once again shows that the UK’s product safety regime is simply not fit for purpose and the Government can no longer continue to allow it to fail.”