Recommendation 4

The OPSS review of Whirlpool’s modification, which took nearly a year to complete, resulted in what can only be described as a flimsy report and risk assessment. The OPSS did not speak to consumers, was overly accepting of Whirlpool data, was unable to acquire traceable modified machines to test and concluded that the risk was low despite the London Fire Brigade identifying fires caused by modified machines. The paucity of published information makes it difficult to understand how OPSS had used the EU’s RAPEX risk assessment methodology to reach its conclusions. It appears that this might have been because of commercial confidentiality concerns, which is deeply troubling, and we are not reassured by the OPSS’s explanation of how it decides what to release and withhold. We welcome OPSS’s overdue decision to meet with the London Fire Brigade to discuss how risk assessments can be shared in future. We recommend that OPSS reviews the criteria it uses when deciding what data and information it withholds because of commercial confidentiality concerns and considers whether changes are required if current legislation inhibits data sharing to improve product safety. We also recommend that OPSS confirms what data sharing protocols it has agreed with the London Fire Brigade and other relevant product safety organisations.