Steelcase Recalls Cachet Swivel Chairs Due to Fall Hazard
CPSC Recall #11-110 — January 24, 2011
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 11-110 |
| Recall Date | January 24, 2011 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | "About 165,000" |
| Manufacturer | "Steelcase Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich." |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| "Authorized Steelcase dealers and retail outlets including Healthy Back Store |
| CSN |
| Home Office Solutions |
| Office & Company and Sam Flax stores nationwide and online at www.store.steelcase.com between May 2002 and November 2009 for up to $600." |
Description
The front seat support part of the chair can crack and fail.
Hazard
"The front seat support part of the chair can crack and fail, posing a fall hazard to consumers."
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received one report of a chair support failure resulting in a back injury.
Remedy Instructions
"Steelcase will replace chairs for individual consumers who purchased chairs online or from retail outlets listed above. For all commercial customers who purchase chairs in quantity, Steelcase will replace the chair support parts. Chairs should be inspected for cracks in the front seat support according to the instructions posted at http://recall.steelcase.com. If any cracks are identified, consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and contact Steelcase. Even if no cracks are identified, consumers should contact Steelcase to arrange for the replacement process and periodically check for cracks until the chair supports are replaced."
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.