Polyconcept North America (PCNA, asi/78897), the fourth largest supplier in the North American promotional products industry, is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,000 power banks in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada.

Sold in the promo products market by PCNA subsidiary Leed’s (asi/66887), the Spare 10,000 mAh power banks have a lithium-ion battery that can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards, the CPSC said. According to Health Canada, there’s a defect in the short circuit protection.

The recalled Spare Power Bank

The power banks were distributed in the promo market from July 2019 through September 2019. PCNA/Leed’s sold nearly 5,000 of the power banks in the U.S., the CPSC said. An additional 445 were sold in Canada, according to Health Canada. “Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the recalled power banks and dispose of the recalled power banks by following local laws for disposal of lithium-ion batteries,” the CPSC said in a statement.

The CPSC reported – and PCNA confirmed -- that there has been one incident of a power bank catching fire in the U.S. No injuries have been reported. Health Canada said there have been no incidents or injuries connected with the power banks in Canada, which PCNA also confirmed.

Larry Whitney, PCNA’s director of global compliance, told Counselor that the supplier has been proactive since learning of the fire incident. “When responsible companies learn of a situation like this, they take steps to mitigate any potential risks. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to proceed with a recall,” Whitney said.

He told Counselor that PCNA first contacted distributors about the product issue in December, warning any that might have the affected power banks to refrain from further distributing the products if they were still holding any. Most of the power banks, Whitney told Counselor, had already made their way to end buyers and end users. Then, last week, PCNA specifically notified distributors who had purchase orders for the power banks, letting them know that they had bought the products and that an official recall was underway.

Manufactured in Shenzhen, China by Shenzhen Mossloo Industrial Co. Ltd, the power banks (listed as product number 7121-18 on the Leed's website) charge electronic devices. They have a 10,000 mAh Grade A lithium ion battery, LED indicator lights, and a flashlight. White in color, the power banks could feature various end-buyer logos. PO number 1813582 is printed on the back of the power banks. The product measures about 5 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide.

Whitney told Counselor that PCNA/Leed’s continues to sell the Spare Power Bank. He said it was only one batch of the product with the particular PO number 1813582 that was affected by the issue.

“We’re very confident that the other Spare Power Banks – and all of our products – are safe,” Whitney told Counselor. “It was just the one batch that was affected. Occasionally, in rare instances like this, there can be a defect.”

The CPSC noted in a statement: “This recall was conducted voluntarily by the company under CPSC’s Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms, who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.”

The CPSC said to contact PCNA for more information about the recall at 800-860-1555, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Buyers can also email the company at customerservice@leedsworld.com.