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.
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