Skip to content

GARVEE Buoyancy Aid — drowning risk (2609-0066)

UK OPSSSerious riskDrowningSep 15, 2026
Photo from the official notice: GARVEE Buoyancy Aid — drowning risk (2609-0066)

Photos from the official notice: UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (GOV.UK) · image rights

Hazard

The product presents a serious risk of drowning as it is marketed and packaged as a “life jacket”, despite being identified within the product documentation and markings as a 50N buoyancy aid. A buoyancy aid does not provide the same level of protection as a life jacket and requires active participation from the wearer to remain afloat, whereas a life jacket is designed to provide face-up flotation without user intervention. The misleading description may cause consumers to overestimate the level of protection offered and use the product in circumstances for which it is not suitable, increasing the risk of drowning. Improvements are also required to product labelling and marking. The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation 2016/425 or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.

Remedy

The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.

Product safety report

Measures taken

  • Destruction of the product
  • Import rejected at border

Product description

Buoyancy aid with adjustable belt as well as attached whistle. It is identified as a “life jacket” on the box but as a “buoyancy aid” on the product.

Matching notices: same barcode or model

Other official notices (EU, U.S. or UK) with the same barcode, or the same brand and model number. Check the details: a match is a strong hint, not proof that it is the same product.

What should I do?

If you own this product, stop using it and follow the corrective action above: contact the retailer or supplier for a repair, replacement or refund. This notice was published by the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards.

More from this brand

See all →

Recent alerts in this category

See all →