New study by Test-Aankoop confirms safety of Nokia batteries November 18, 2003
press.nokia.com
Yesterday, Test-Aankoop, a Belgian consumer organization, performed
new tests on mobile phone battery safety, using only original Nokia
batteries in the testing. The test results clearly proved all Nokia original
batteries to be fully protected against shortcircuiting and safe for
consumer use. On November 7, Test-Aankoop released a report that
inadvertently included non-original, counterfeit batteries in the test
sample.
"We believe Test-Aankoop's new test results of original Nokia batteries
erase any doubts as to the safety of Nokia products, including original
Nokia batteries", says Janne Jormalainen, Vice President, Mobile
Enhancements Business Unit, Nokia Mobile Phones. "The recent media
attention to this industry wide problem has put a much-needed spotlight
on the potential dangers of non-original batteries - and the industry's
ongoing battle to rid the market of inferior, potentially unsafe products."
On Thursday, November 13, Nokia announced aggressive measures
against the manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit products. Plans
for regional anti-counterfeit measures are in place and more information
will be given as soon as the programs have been officially announced.
As non-original batteries may present a safety risk to the user, Nokia
recommends that consumers only purchase and use original Nokia
batteries. Measures that ensure this include: using only original battery
included in the Nokia phone sales package, buying new batteries only
from authorized Nokia dealers, avoiding purchase of batteries without
proper sales packaging and avoiding low priced batteries. One way that
consumers can identify non-original batteries is if the following text
iswritten on the battery:
- Replacement battery for...
- NOK (with model number)
- NK (with model number)
- "For use with..."
- "Compatible with..."
- "For Nokia..."
As it might be difficult for consumers to identify counterfeit batteries,
retailers are in a key position to minimize the availability of counterfeit
batteries to consumers. Therefore Nokia continues to encourage all
retailers to ensure they only offer safe and high quality batteries to
consumers and to use only official channels when purchasing Nokia
batteries. Furthermore, Nokia provides material and consultation to help
retailers identify low quality and counterfit batteries.
Additionally, Nokia continues to offer its full cooperation to authorities in
taking legal measures available against companies or individuals that
sell and distribute counterfeit products or non-original mobile phone
enhancements compatible to Nokia products that do not adhere to the
stringent safety and quality measures. Already tens of thousands of
counterfeit batteries have been seized in recent raids in Holland, the
United Kingdom, and other countries in the EU.
As a result of these raids, authorities gained valuable leads on a network
of counterfeit manufacturers and distributors, enabling authorities to
begin immediate actions against those involved.
Test-Aankoop has issued today a statement confirming the safety of
original Nokia batteries. The statement will be posted on
www.test-aankoop.be. |
