Recall notice issued for 18650 lithium battery charger for LED torch

Electrical Safety First published a recall notice in June 2022 for an 18650 lithium battery charger for LED torch rechargeable flashlights with a UK plug, model 224051475865¹. The charity said the product poses a serious risk of electric shock and a risk of fire after testing found its construction unsafe¹.

The notice describes the item as a black single slot battery charger with a supply cord and three pin plug¹. Electrical Safety First reported that creepage and clearance distances are insufficient and that the product failed a 3kV dielectric strength test between phase connectors and earth¹. It said the plug does not meet the dimensional requirements of the relevant standard (BS1363), and that the fuse fitted in the plug contained no silica¹. The product is not supplied with an approved supply cord, and the fuse and supply cord are considered counterfeit¹. The notice adds that the product is not compliant with the marking requirements of the relevant standard and that no instructions are provided¹.

According to the notice, the product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs and Sockets Safety Regulations 1994¹.

Why it matters for households

The charger is the kind of item households may keep for recharging 18650 cells used in torches, including torches kept for power cuts. The recall covers model 224051475865 only; the notice gives no batch numbers, sale dates or retailers¹. Electrical Safety First advises anyone who believes they have an affected product to stop using it immediately and contact the retailer for further advice¹. The charity strongly recommends that anyone who discovers they have an electrical item that has been recalled should stop using it until it has been checked by the manufacturer¹. Households can check how to verify whether an electrical product has been recalled, and how to check and report recalled and unsafe torches and chargers, in the site's guides on how to check if an electrical product has been recalled and on recalled and unsafe torches and chargers. Guidance on charging and storing rechargeable torches safely and on torch batteries, including 18650 cells, is also available.

What happens next

The notice sets out no further steps beyond stopping use and contacting the retailer, and no follow-up action by the manufacturer or other bodies has been reported¹.