Swedish furniture company Ikea Group is recalling 1.66 million chests and dressers in China over concerns the drawers could pose a danger to children if not properly fixed to walls, China’s safety regulator said today.
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“But. after communicating with AQSIQ and the China Consumers Association we have made a decision to carry out a recall on the MALM dressers”, it said.
Last month, Ikea recalled nearly 36 million of the chests and drawers in the United States and Canada after six deaths.
“It is simply too risky to have the recalled furniture in your home unanchored, especially if you have young children”, CPSC Chairman Elliott Kaye said in a statement, according to Reuters. The agency said the recall extends to 1.7 million Malm dressers sold in China since 1999.
In a WeChat post on Thursday, Ikea had said it would not institute a recall in China because the furniture met local regulations, but said that concerned customers could call its service line for advice on safe installation.
Following an online backlash in China over the issue, Ikea offered free home installation and an optional refund.
“The behavior shown contradicts to the “Ikea spirit” that founder Ingvar Kamprad talks about, being helpful and responsible”, Xinhua wrote.
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Nearly immediately after that recall was announced, consumers in China called for a similar remedy there. IKEA stated that the dresser meets all safety standards in China, and no accidents have been reported in the country. “They must recall the items”.
