Princeton Youth Hockey Association

by posted 06/28/2010

Listed below is information regarding the Bauer Hockey Junior Stick Recall. For more information - please go to www.bauer.com/recall

A Note for Players and Parents

Bauer Hockey has strict protocols and procedures in place to ensure that all government safety standards are met in all of our products. It has recently come to our attention that, despite these efforts, lead in the undercoat paint and decals of various children’s stick models manufactured since 2004 exceed the limits for children’s products in Canada and the U.S.

In February, Health Canada randomly tested the Nike Bauer Supreme One50 Junior stick and notified us that one of the paint pigments exceeded the allowable limit in Canada for lead content in children’s products. Once we received these results, we proactively initiated a comprehensive review of children’s stick models dating back to 2004 and we identified the below models in which the lead in the undercoat paint and decals exceeds the allowable limit for children’s products in the U.S. and Canada.

While no injuries or illness have been reported to Bauer Hockey, Health Canada or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), we immediately sent a stop sale notice to retailers around the world. We have also worked with Health Canada and the CPSC to voluntarily recall these models in North America.

Consumers who are in possession of one of the listed models should call 1-888-734-0443 for a refund or an elite-level replacement model.

Bauer takes the safety of our products very seriously. We are determined to always act in the interests of our customers and ensure their safe enjoyment of our products. We are continuing to investigate how these affected sticks did not meet the stringent regulations and material criteria set forth for all Bauer Hockey products. We have maintained strict protocols at both the factory and vendor level to ensure our compliance, and we have already taken steps to improve these procedures.

We have concluded re-testing of all Bauer children’s stick models created since 2004 and we are confident that no other models will be subject to a stop sale or recall. Current Vapor stick models that launched at retail in October 2009 have all met the required standards, as have all Supreme models that will launch at retail in October 2010.

Thank you for your patience during this time and thank you for supporting Bauer Hockey.

Kevin Davis
CEO, Bauer Hockey

Frequently Asked Questions

What sticks are being recalled?
Bauer Hockey is voluntarily recalling specific models of junior and youth sticks in the U.S and Canada. A full list of the affected sticks (including images) is located on this site.
Why are the sticks being recalled?
Bauer Hockey has strict protocols and procedures in place to ensure that all government safety standards are met. It has recently come to our attention that, despite these efforts, the lead content in the undercoat paint and decals which is applied to these sticks, exceeds the stringent limits for children’s products in Canada and the U.S.
How does a consumer return a stick?
Consumers can immediately return their stick (replacement blade, or shaft) and receive a refund or an elite-level replacement model by calling 1-888-734-0443.
Does a consumer get a refund or a new stick?
Bauer will provide consumers with an elite-level replacement model free of charge or a cash refund. For Nike Bauer Supreme One90 junior sticks ordered through Nike Bauer ID, consumers will receive a refund, a new elite-level replacement, or a code to order a free stick from MyBauer (formerly Nike Bauer ID).
What are the risks associated with these sticks?
Lead may be toxic if ingested by young children.
Have you received any reports of injuries or illness related to these sticks?
No. Bauer Hockey, Health Canada and the CPSC have not received any reports of injury or illness.
Where were these sticks made?
These sticks were made in China.
Why is it only the junior and youth models?
The standards in both the U.S. and Canada are established to protect young children who may ingest lead from consumer products. The junior and youth model sticks are primarily used by children 12 and under and, therefore, must pass the strict standards for all children’s consumer products.
Why not the senior model?
The standards in both the U.S. and Canada are established to protect young children who may ingest lead from consumer products. The junior and youth model sticks are primarily used by children 12 and under and therefore must pass the strict standards for all children’s consumer products. The senior models of these sticks are specifically designed for adult use and, therefore, are not subject to the children’s product standards.
When were these sticks manufactured?
Of the models affected, the Bauer Supreme One75 stick was the only catalog model created since 2008. All others were manufactured prior to 2008.
Are you stopping the sale of these models in Europe?
Yes. As a precautionary measure, we are voluntarily asking European accounts to cease selling these products, as we continue testing to the applicable standards of the European Union member countries and other relevant countries. Once testing is complete, we will work with the appropriate government agencies on applicable next steps.
How did you learn that these sticks did not pass the relevant standards?
Health Canada randomly tested the Nike Bauer Supreme One50 Junior stick and notified us that one of the paint pigments exceeded the allowable limit in Canada for lead content in children’s products. Once we received these results, we proactively initiated a comprehensive review of models dating back to 2004 (the year we began manufacturing in China) and we identified models in which the lead content in the undercoat paint exceeds the allowable limit for children’s products in the U.S. and Canada. A full list of affected models is listed on this site.
Do we expect to stop sale or recall on other Bauer sticks?
We have conducted a review of numerous Bauer (and Nike Bauer branded) sticks dating back to 2004 (the year we began manufacturing in China) as well as all current – and soon to be launched – sticks. We have identified the raw materials that triggered these specific product failures and have immediately discontinued their use. Therefore, we do not expect any additional sticks to be impacted.
What about current Bauer sticks – are there any issues with them?
Of the models affected, only one (the Bauer Supreme ONE75) is a current catalog model (launched in October 2008). We have re-tested all our current Vapor catalog line of sticks that Bauer launched in October 2009 and all of our Supreme sticks that Bauer will be launching in October 2010. All of these sticks satisfy the lead paint standards in the U.S. and Canada.
What about other Bauer products?
We are conducting a comprehensive re-testing of all other Bauer Hockey children’s products. We do not anticipate any issues in any other product category. As the leading brand in hockey, we want to take the necessary steps to assure our loyal customers that there are no other potential safety issues.
I ordered a Supreme One90 junior stick on Nike Bauer ID – should I return it?
Yes. All Nike Bauer Supreme One90 junior sticks should be returned. Consumers can call 1-888-734-0443 to immediately return their Nike Bauer Supreme One90 ID stick and receive a refund, a new-elite-level replacement or a code for a free stick from MyBauer (formerly Nike Bauer ID).
How did this happen? What is Bauer doing to ensure it doesn’t happen again?
We are continuing to investigate how these affected sticks did not meet the stringent regulations and material criteria set forth for all Bauer Hockey products. We have maintained strict protocols at both the factory and vendor level to ensure our compliance and have already taken steps to improve these procedures.
Did you not have testing in place before?
Internal and factory-level testing of Bauer materials and products has always been an integral aspect of the manufacturing process and we are investigating how the affected sticks failed to meet the stringent regulations for Bauer products.
What other specific actions have you taken?
While we continue to investigate the issue we have identified all raw materials that have triggered these specific product failures and have immediately discontinued their use. All existing inventories of failing raw materials have been fully documented, isolated, secured, and prepared for appropriate disposal.

Sticks Listed in Recall (Click on links below for images)
Sold in North America

Sold Only in U.S.

Sold Only in Canada

Listed below is information regarding the Bauer Hockey Junior Stick Recall. For more information - please go to www.bauer.com/recall A Note for Players and Parents

Listed below is information regarding the Bauer Hockey Junior Stick Recall. For more information - please go to www.bauer.com/recall

A Note for Players and Parents