Industrial standards agency recommends recall for Apple iPods

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industrial standards agency recommended
the recall of Apple Korea's iPod nano MP3 players following consumer complaints
related to the batteries in the device, industry sources said Tuesday.

Corporate and government sources said the Korean Agency for Technology and
Standards (KATS) requested the recall of first generation iPod nanos that have
been cited for problems with batteries overheating and explosions.
The recommendations were made on June 25 as a preventative measure with KATS
urging Apple Korea to "aggressively" collect iPods that were built on the same
assembly line and date.
"The recall request was made to alleviate growing concerns among consumers and as
a preventative measure to guard against possible injuries," an official said.
He said that although the government could move to order a mandatory recall, it
has opted to ask Apple to take voluntary steps, which takes less time.
There have been a total of four complaints received since December by users of
iPod nano MP3 players, including three cases of battery explosions during the
recharging process.
An iPod Touch multi-media player, a more advanced and more expensive version of
the MP3 player, also suffered from battery expansion during the recharging
process in May.
Related to the recall request, Apple Korea said the matter has been forwarded to
its head office.
It said the issue is being given due attention with the local company awaiting a
decision from corporate decision-makers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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