GARVEE buoyancy aid ordered destroyed over drowning risk
EU authorities ordered the destruction of this product (GARVEE buoyancy aid) after it was found to pose a drowning risk. Here is how to tell if you have it, and what to do next.
How to identify it
- Product
- Buoyancy aid with adjustable belt as well as attached whistle. It is identified as a “life jacket” on the box but as a “buoyancy aid” on the product.
- Brand
- GARVEE
- Barcode
- Not listed in the notice
- Batch / lot
- 26030976
- Made in
- People's Republic of China
- Category
- Protective equipment
Why it's dangerous
The product is marketed and packaged as a “life jacket”, despite being identified within the product documentation and markings as a 50N buoyancy aid. A buoyancy aid does not provide the same level of protection as a life jacket and requires active participation from the wearer to remain afloat, whereas a life jacket is designed to provide face-up flotation without user intervention. The misleading description may cause consumers to overestimate the level of protection offered and use the product in circumstances for which it is not suitable, increasing the risk of drowning.
What the authorities did
Source
Last synced 8 Oct 2026, 11:15 UTC. SafeCart is an independent company, not an EU body. This page summarises the official notice, which is the authoritative record.