Mattel issues recall for Rock ‘n Play Sleeper in NZ

30 April 2019

Trading Standards says Mattel’s expansion of the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper voluntary recall in the USA to New Zealand and Australia sends a reminder to manufacturers that all products need to be fit for purpose.

Trading Standards Team Leader Safety and Technical Martin Ruston says as well as addressing obvious safety risks, manufacturers and suppliers also have a responsibility to ensure products are safe under the Fair Trading Act. This requirement means manufacturers’ products can’t be prone to misuse or used in a way that was not intended.

“This concept is known as ‘reasonably foreseeable misuse’ and is a legal requirement both here and overseas. In this instance there have been a number of reported fatalities in the USA which appear to have been attributable to the products being used for older infants, and with infants not being tethered correctly.”

The products were sold in 2011 and 2012 in New Zealand through independent retailers, and again through The Warehouse in 2018, though very few sales have been made.

Mr Rushton says that despite the low volumes of sales and that some products may have been acquired up to eight years ago, if consumers have these items they should follow the recall guidance from Mattel. Mattel’s guidance says consumers with a Rock ‘n Play Sleeper should stop using it immediately and store it out of reach of children. They should then follow the instructions provided to secure a refund.

Mr Rushton is also urging parents to be aware of the safe sleep guidelines when it comes to purchasing infant sleeping products, and reminds manufacturers to accurately brand them to reflect their purpose.

“By using the word ‘Sleeper’ in Mattel’s product name, the inference was that the product could be used for sleeping purposes, whereas in fact its primary purpose was amusement for babies. Whilst babies are left in conventional cots unsupervised for extended periods, this product was not intended for babies to be left on their own.

“If a product is being sold as a baby sleep product, it needs to be fit for purpose, and with a firm flat mattress or surface, as per the Ministry of Health’s advice.”

Further information about the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper recall can be found on recalls.govt.nz. Consumers who have purchased a Rock ‘n Play Sleeper either in store or online should contact Mattel New Zealand Customer Relations by phoning 0800 174 063 or by email at infoaust@mattel.com.

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