Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
The Helmet Update by Email
Catlike Helmets Recalled
Today the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall by Catlike USA of Catlike Kompact model bike helmets.
This recall of Catlike helmets involves only 2,250 helmets sold, scarcely enough to be concerned about, except to the users who are wearing inferior impact protection and are not aware of the helmet's limitations.
The significance of this recall is that importers should be very careful about certifying to the CPSC standard any helmet designed to European or non-US standards. The European EN standard is considerably easier to meet than CPSC, and a helmet designed for it will not meet CPSC unless a considerable extra margin of protection has been designed in. We are pleased that CPSC is testing to be sure that manufacturers and importers actually meet its standard.
Below is the CPSC press release.
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2003
Release # 03-132 Company Phone Number: (877) 228-5646
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
(Note: this recall is one of several that were combined in a grouped release)
Name of product: Catlike KompactTM Bike Helmets
Units: 2,250
Distributor: Monarch Velo, LLC, doing business as Catlike USA, of
Houston, Texas
Hazard: The helmets fail impact testing required under CPSC's safety
standard for bicycle helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves Catlike KompactTM adult bicycle
helmets. The helmets were sold in two sizes (small/medium and
large/extra large) and various colors. The sizing label inside the
helmets reads "Kompact" and "SM/MD" or "LG/XL."
Sold at: Bicycle shops nationwide sold the helmets from March 2002
through February 2003 for about $130.
Manufactured in/Imported from: Spain
Remedy: Contact Monarch Velo for information on receiving a free
replacement helmet.
Consumer Contact: Contact Monarch Velo toll-free at (877) 228-5646
between 9 a.m and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's
website at www.catlike-usa.com.
Catlike USA Media Contact: Chris Watson at (877) 228-5646
(There was a photo on the CPSC site.)
The Helmet Update - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Randy Swart, Editor - info@helmets.org
4611 Seventh Street South, Arlington, VA 22204-1419 USA
(703) 486-0100 (voice or fax)
info@helmets.org - www.helmets.org
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