Latest news with #CompetitionandConsumerProtectionCommission
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dealz issues urgent recall on popular product 'which can harm children's health'
Well-known discount store Dealz has issued an urgent recall for a popular product sold in Ireland which 'can harm children's health'. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced on Wednesday that Poundland UK, which trades as Dealz in the Republic of Ireland, has issued a recall of its 8PK Heart Balloons V Day due to chemical test failure required by toy safety standard. According to the CCPC, the product recall has been issued as the product poses a chemical risk due to excessive levels of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances. The CCPC warned that children may be exposed through skin contact or mouthing the balloons "which can harm children's health". The model number is 939773, while the batch number is SS25 and the bar code is 5045735005543. It is understood there are approximately 4,501 affected products in the Republic of Ireland. Customers are being urged to stop using the product immediately, keep it out of the reach of children and return it to any Dealz store for a full refund. "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused," a Dealz spokesperson said of the recall. "However, the safety and confidence of our consumers and the quality of our products is at the heart of everything we do. "We are asking any consumers who purchased 939773 - 8PK HEART BALLOONS VDAY to stop using it and return it to Store for a full refund, no receipt is required." For any questions in relation to this specific recall, customers are advised to get in touch with the Dealz Customer Relations Line on 0818 930 843 or via email on The recall comes just a week after Dealz pulled a popular baby cap from shelves due to safety fears. The discount store issued a recall of its Pepco Baby Frotte Cap Blue product last Wednesday (June 11). According to the CCPC, the button on the cap may detach from the garment, resulting in a small part that could easily be placed by a child in their mouth and subsequently swallowed, which could cause the child to choke.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Regulator takes High Court case against Paddy Power owner Flutter following dawn raids
The case follows searches by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on a number of businesses in the betting industry last month. The agency said they were part of an ongoing criminal investigation into potential breaches of competition law. In the searches, which are commonly known as 'dawn raids', the CCPC was accompanied by gardaí from the National Economic Crime Bureau. The competition authority had not identified what companies were searched as part of the investigation, but it has already initiated High Court proceedings against Boylesports and has now done so against Flutter. A spokesperson for Flutter said: 'We are unable to comment on a live regulatory investigation. Flutter takes its legal responsibilities very seriously and is confident that its business practices are fully compliant with competition law.' It is understood that the case is procedural, with the CCPC needing to apply to the court this week to move its investigation onto the next stage, and to continue to hold the data that has been collected. Flutter, whose CEO is Peter Jackson, has offices in Clonskeagh but its headquarters are now in New York. It operates a number of brands other than Paddy Power, mostly notably Betfair and Tombola. The CCPC has the power to carry out unannounced searches on businesses with a warrant issued by the District Court. It searches for evidence where it has reason to believe that companies are not compliant with competition law. It is not known precisely what practices in the gambling industry the agency is investigating, but there has been speculation it could relate to alleged price fixing. Competition law forbids firms that hold a dominant position from engaging in abusive practices, such as predatory pricing or refusal to supply. A spokesperson for the CCPC said: 'The case relates to a statutory process initiated by the CCPC under section 33 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. This is a procedural matter related to a criminal investigation under our competition law powers. "No further comment can be made at this point.' That section of competition law says the disclosure of information can be compelled, or possession of it taken, even if it is privileged legal information. The CCPC carried out no competition law searches between 2018 and 2022, but did several under consumer protection law. There were four 'dawn raids' in 2023, and a further four last year, as part of two separate cartel investigations.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Competition authority takes Flutter to court
The case follows searches by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on a number of businesses in the betting industry last month. The agency said they were part of an ongoing criminal investigation into potential breaches of competition law. In the searches, which are commonly known as 'dawn raids', the CCPC was accompanied by gardai from the National Economic Crime Bureau. The competition authority had not identified what companies were searched as part of the investigation, but it has already initiated High Court proceedings against Boyle Sports and has now done so against Flutter. A spokesperson for Flutter said: 'We are unable to comment on a live regulatory investigation. Flutter takes its legal responsibilities very seriously and is confident that its business practices are fully compliant with competition law.' It is understood that the case is procedural, with the CCPC needing to apply to the court this week to move its investigation onto the next stage, and to continue to hold the data that has been collected. Flutter, whose CEO is Peter Jackson, has offices in Clonskeagh but its headquarters are now in New York. It operates a number of brands other than Paddy Power, mostly notably BetFair and Tombola. The CCPC has the power to carry out unannounced searches on businesses with a warrant issued by the District Court. It searches for evidence where it has reason to believe that companies are not compliant with competition law. It is not known precisely what practices in the gambling industry the agency is investigating, but there has been speculation it could relate to alleged price fixing. Competition law forbids firms that hold a dominant position from engaging in abusive practices, such as predatory pricing or refusal to supply. A spokesperson for the CCPC said: 'The case relates to a statutory process initiated by the CCPC under section 33 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. This is a procedural matter related to a criminal investigation under our competition law powers. No further comment can be made at this point.' That section of competition law says the disclosure of information can be compelled, or possession of it taken, even if it is privileged legal information. The CCPC carried out no competition law searches between 2018 and 2022, but did several under consumer protection law. There were four 'dawn raids' in 2023, and a further four last year, as part of two separate cartel investigations.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent 'fire risk' recall for popular appliance as hundreds sold in Ireland
An urgent recall has been issued on a popular music instrument accessory sold in Ireland the risk of it causing serious harm to its owners. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced on Tuesday that a safety issue has been identified with a Yamaha Music Europe GmbH Yamaha PA-300C AC Adaptor. The Yamaha PA-300C power supply is suitable for most Yamaha portable keyboards and other Yamaha products and enables it to be transported easily. According to Ireland's consumer watchdog, a recall has been issued on the popular gadget as it may melt and spark blazes due to a manufacturing defect. Safety inspectors discovered that a short circuit in the DC plug electrode may cause excessive heat generation and melting of the plug, which can result in a fire. The brand affected by the recall is Yamaha and the type/number of model is PA-300C. The CCPC said there are approximately 494 affected products in the Republic of Ireland. Shoppers who purchased one of these products are strongly advised to stop using them "immediately" and return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund. For advice on how to check if your product is affected and how to register for a replacement customers can visit the Yamaha Recalls Page and follow the instructions outlined. Shoppers who have any other questions or concerns about the product, please email Yamaha directly at yamaha_pa300c_recall@ or alternatively, you can call Yamaha consumer support at 01526 2449 for more information. The full list of retailers who sold the product can be found below.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
School uniform cost alert for Irish parents amid ‘drive up prices' brand warning & generic items call
SCHOOLS across Ireland are being urged to opt for generic items as part of their school uniforms rather than branded clothing. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has penned a letter to primary and secondary schools across the country asking them to consider back to school costs for parents. The commission asked They have also warned against recommending specific retailers where parents should purchase school uniform items. The watchdog said that, not only does this drive up It comes as figures reveal 75 per cent of schools have a specific recommended retailer where at least one item of the uniform must be bought. READ MORE IN NEWS Commission member Una Butler told She explained: "Back-to-school can be an expensive and stressful time for families. "By promoting competition among suppliers, schools can help to reduce costs and deliver good value. "By having branded uniforms and exclusive suppliers, schools can unwittingly suppress competition between businesses and drive up prices. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "Competition is most intense when consumers have options, so we recommend that schools appoint multiple suppliers and avoid exclusive suppliers. I'm a single mum-of-four - I save loads on uniforms for back-to-school "Where a specific supplier needs to be appointed, schools should regularly review their arrangements to ensure that the supplier is offering the best mix of quality, price, and service to parents and guardians." Come the end of summer, retailers across the country such as Based on CCPC advice parents will be able to opt to buy these cheaper alternatives not embroidered with school logos or from a specific brand. The commission have also urged schools not to put pressure on parents in their back to school lists when it comes to technology. This includes asking Some schools require tablets for learning and essentially all secondary schools require calculators for maths. HELP FOR PARENTS There is help available to parents who are struggling to keep up with back to school costs, especially for uniforms. The Most people who qualify for the However, if you think you might be eligible and do not receive an automatic payment you can apply for it. All details on the eligibility criteria of the payment can be found on the website. The payment applies to children between four and 17 on September 30 of the year you apply. It also applies to those aged 18 to 22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply. For those aged four to 11 parents will receive a sum of €160 while those aged 12 to 22 will receive €285. 1 Schools have been warned they may actually be creating higher costs Credit: Getty Images
