Joint Press Release with the Consumer Affairs AgencyRecall of Bicycle Components Imported by Kawashima Yoko Co., Ltd. and Sold by Kawashima Cycle Supply Co., Ltd. (Component Replacement)

A serious product accident has occurred in a bicycle component (a handlebar stem) imported by Kawashima Yoko Co., Ltd. and sold by Kawashima Cycle Supply Co., Ltd, causing a user to fall and be injured due to the defective component.

The accident was announced as a serious product accident on February 8, 2013, in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, which relates to accidents of unclear origin in products other than gas and oil appliances (Control No. A201200871).

The cause of the accident is now under investigation, but it is thought that the weight imposed by repetitive use broke a clamp in the product in question, leading to the accident.

To prevent further accidents, Kawashima Cycle Supply will replace the component of the product subject to the recall from March 15, 2013.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) encourages consumers who have purchased the product in question to make use of the company's replacement service in order to prevent any further accidents.

1. Nature of the accident and recurrence-prevention measures

1) Nature of the accident

A serious product accident occurred in a bicycle component (a handlebar stem) imported by Kawashima Yoko Co. ,Ltd. and sold by Kawashima Cycle Supply Co., Ltd, causing a user to fall and be injured due to the defective component. The accident was reported to METI as a serious product accident in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (Control No. A201200871).

The cause of the accident is now under investigation, but it is thought that the weight imposed by repetitive use of the product broke a clamp in the product in question, leading to the accident. In addition, two similar accidents were reported to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) (minor injuries have occurred as a result of the two accidents).

2) Recurrence-prevention measures

To prevent further accidents, Kawashima Cycle Supply will post a press release on its website on March 15, 2013. The company will also put up posters in shops that sold the product and provide information through advertisements in sport-bicycle magazines from the same day onward, providing a service to replace the component.

In addition to Kawashima Cycle Supply, the measures will be jointly conducted by the three companies that imported and sold the product in question, i.e., Inter Max. Co., Ltd, Nichinao Shokai Co., Ltd, and Fukaya Sangyo Co., Ltd.

2. Products to be recalled: Outline of the product, appearance, and how to check

1) Product name, model number, manufacture period, and quantity to be collected

Product name	Model number	Import period	Quantity to be recalled
Bicycle handlebar stem (manufactured by Deda Elementi)	ZERO 100 SERVISIO CORSO	October 2006 - January 2013	12,722
	ZERO 100
	ZERO 100 PISTA

2) Appearance of the product in question and how to check

A control number is printed inside the clamp of the handle when the measure has already been conducted by the company.

3. Actions by the company

The company will replace the component.

4. Notice by the company

Website announcement:: Friday, March 15, 2013
Announcement and putting up posters at shops:: Friday, March 15, 2013, onward
Providing information through advertisements in sport-bicycle magazines:: Friday, March 15, 2013, onward
Providing a replacement service at an outdoor bicycle event:: Friday, March 15, 2013, onward

5. Alert to consumers

Anyone who has purchased the product in question should immediately contact the companies as below.

6. Contact offices for the product to be recalled

Kawashima Cycle Supply, Co., Ltd.: Telephone number: 072-238-6126; Service hours: 9:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays); Website: http://www.riogrande.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Inter Max. Co., Ltd: Telephone number: 055-252-7333; Service hours: 9:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays); Website: http://www.intermax.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Nichinao Shokai Co., Ltd: Telephone number: 048-953-9771; Service hours: 9:00-17:30 (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays); Website: http://www.nichinao.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Fukaya Sangyo Co., Ltd.: Telephone number: 052-909-6201; Service hours: 9:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays); Website: http://www.fukaya-sangyo.co.jp/ (in Japanese)

Release Date

March 15, 2013

Division in Charge

Product Accident Information and Analysis Office, Product Safety Division, Distribution and Industrial Safety Policy Group

Related Information

Product Safety

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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-3501-1511