• Skis, skates, snowboard - better to know if they are safe.
• The Trade Inspection Authority examined these products in the 1st quarter of 2019.
• Good news for winter sports enthusiasts: the only irregularities related to labeling.

In the first months of 2019, the Trade Inspection Authority examined products such as skis, poles, snowboards, skates and ski boots in 15 provinces. Most examined batches (96 percent) came from abroad. The inspection covered 64 undertakings - mainly retail stores and supermarkets.

The inspectors examined 256 batches of gear against the relevant safety requirements and found no defects in design. They questioned 63 batches (24.6 percent) only due to their labeling. Most often, the manufacturer's data were missing or incomplete (46%) or the user manuals were incomplete (41.3%). In 10 cases, Polish user manual was missing, and in 3 cases no user manual was provided at all.

Many sellers voluntarily complemented labeling already during the audit, while others withdrawn the equipment from sale until the irregularities are eliminated. Additionally, in the case of 19 undertakings responsible for placing products on market, the Trade Inspection Authority inspectors requested to improve labeling.

When buying skis, skates, snowboard:

• check if the equipment is free of damages and any defects in design visible to the naked eye,
• choose equipment adequate to your weight and height,
• ask salespeople for advice but be careful when a salesperson recommends a specific model or brand without asking about your skills, ambitions or goal,
• check if manufacturer or distributor data are provided,
• make sure that a user manual in Polish is attached to the product,
• when in doubt, please contact the nearest Provincial Trade Inspection Office.

Consumer support:
Phone: +48 801 440 220 or +48 22 290 89 16 – consumer helpline
e-mail: porady@dlakonsumentow.pl
Consumer ombudsmen – in your town or district
Regional Consumer Centres: Phone: +48 22 299 60 90 dlakonsumenta.pl organisation

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL