Sofas - new legislation
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It's now a year since Watchdog first told the story of the Chinese leather sofas which were causing agonising skin reactions in thousands of people. We were the first to identify the cause; sachets of a highly dangerous chemical, dimethyl fumarate or DMF, put in the sofas in China to stop mould growing.
In the UK the sofas were sold in three main stores: Argos, Land of Leather and Walmsleys.
What we didn't know at the time was that the sachets were causing injuries in several other countries. Affected sofas were sold across Europe, with problems reported in Finland, Poland, Sweden and especially France.
After 38,000 sofas were recalled there, French TV network France2 sent undercover reporters to the one of the Chinese manufacturers, Eurosofa, who'd been linked to the sofas. The reporters secretly filmed a meeting with representatives of Eurosofa. At first the company said that the sofas were nothing to do with them but then they admitted that they had in fact used sachets of dimethyl fumarate and had stopped when the scale of the problems the chemical had caused in the UK became clear.
Major breakthrough
Watchdog's been on top of this story from the very start and now there's been a major breakthrough. The European Commission is banning any products containing DMF from entering Europe. The new law, which comes into force in May, means all shops that have sold affected items, will have to issue a full recall. UK authorities have yet to decide exactly how that will work here.
EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva is behind the new law. She told us that "From 1 May 2009 DMF [will] not have any place in UK homes, in European homes. Well done, good job, Watchdog."
Admitted liability
But what about the thousands of people in the UK who've already suffered agonising skin reactions? In the coming weeks they'll find out if they've won compensation from the high street stores who sold them their sofas.
The lawyer behind the court action, Richard Langton, is confident they will because Argos, Land of Leather and Walmsleys have all admitted liability.
He says that "When you look at the two thousand people entitled to compensation, it looks like the total compensation package will be somewhere in the region of £5m to £10m."
Horrific reaction
One of the claimants in the High Court case is Sam Markey. In 2006 she bought an affected sofa from Land of Leather and soon developed a horrific reaction.
She's hoping that she will be compensated for the suffering, pain and depression she says was caused by a chemical in a sofa that should never have been there.
When we first reported on this story a year ago some of these stores refused to accept what we'd told them - that sofas they'd sold were dangerous. If they'd taken action sooner, maybe they wouldn't now face such massive payouts. There could still be more twists to come in what's become one of the most bizarre stories that Watchdog has ever covered.
Watchdog spoke to some of the companies involved.
Argos said:
"We have already gone on record as saying that we have accepted legal responsibility to our customers. Since this issue first surfaced, we have conducted detailed and extensive investigations and have worked, and will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to make sure that the health and safety of our customers is protected. Once the European Union legislation has been published, we will cooperate with the appropriate authorities as required."
Deloitte, the Administrators to Land of Leather said:
"The Administrators have been made aware of the Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) issue and are seeking professional advice, including legal input, on this complex matter.
"In respect of the DMF issue and in all other aspects of Land of Leather customer concerns the administrators are seeking to be as helpful as possible, consistent with their over-riding duties to creditors as a whole.
"It should be borne in mind however that unlimited funds to provide replacement products are not available. The options available to deal with problem products that can be identified as relating to the DMF issue are being explored and customer concerns will be addressed as sensitively as possible on the basis of the limited resources available in the administration.
"The branch where customers placed their order, or alternatively the call centre, should be the first point of contact for concerned customers - the call centre number is 0800 496 0868. There is a dedicated helpline available for customers that the call centre determine need further support."
Walmsleys said:
"Thankfully only a very small proportion of our customers have been affected but where we are satisfied that DMF has affected customers they have already been offered refunds or replacement products. In circumstances where our customers are entitled to further compensation some payments have already been made and we are working with the other retailers, their insurers and the claimants to create a system to ensure remaining payments are made as quickly as possible.
"We have already withdrawn product containing DMF from sale and we will continue to work closely with the trading standards authorities to ensure we continue to comply with UK and EU legislation."
Click here to read our last sofa report.
Comment number 1.
At 19:51 2nd Mar 2009, leoniefraser wrote:We bought 2 sofas and a chair from Argos a few years ago. About a year ago we got a letter through saying there were some problems, asking us to check the batch numbers. We did, and one was a faulty batch so they replaced everything that we had purchased.
We were extremely impressed with the service. They acted very quickly when they realised there was a problem with the leather.
They telephoned us and chatted to see if we had any skin problems.
They were extremely helpful.
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Comment number 2.
At 20:09 2nd Mar 2009, torreti wrote:About 2 years ago we bought a Leather sofa from argos , me or my husband have not suffered any skin problems but our dog is always scratching, we've taken him to the vet and he has had skin scrapes and other tests. They say he has an allergy to something but doesnt know what after watching about the sofas on watchdog we're now wondering whether it could be the sofa.Does anyone have any advice on where to go next.
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Comment number 3.
At 20:19 2nd Mar 2009, gailtmelia wrote:My brother-in-law in dumfris, scotland bough 2 sofas. he was the only one in his family to had a very bad recation to the sofas he skin was coming away he could'nt even touch them as he would come out in rash.He could even visit my sister who was very ill at the time in hospital he was told to stay away, which my sister didnt need at the time. he his still waiting to hear from the company to change the sofas as he still sitting on a bean bag.
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Comment number 4.
At 20:28 2nd Mar 2009, sumerakamran wrote:v bought a leather sofa set from Argos n from 2 yrs m suffring wid a skin problem which s effacting my right hand n my doctor says m allargic 2 somthing in my house .......... m not sure its bcoz of this sofa or not ... i wanna know tht how can i check this & wat shud b my next step ?....shall i call argos ? or watchdog team? plz help me out here thank u
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Comment number 5.
At 20:40 2nd Mar 2009, imperialDunnyboy wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 22:24 2nd Mar 2009, renster24 wrote:I bought a sofa argos 2 years ago I didnt have a rash but my dog has developed terrible one..Vets says he has an allergy, we cant find what. He was off couch for 3 months skin cleared up and now he back on..same thing but pretty bad..how do I check batch number? thanks
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Comment number 7.
At 22:46 2nd Mar 2009, lutinebell wrote:My husband and I bought two cream leather armchairs just before Christmas 2007 as we expecting a houseful of visitors over the festive season. We replaced two old chairs with the two new ones plus footstools,purchased from Homebase, but after a few days I brought back my old chair as I found the new ones uncomfortable. However my husband continued to use the chair until after a few weeks he complained of itchiness in his back, and the rash corresponded to the pattern of resting against the back and seat of the chair. Itching and rashes also developed on his calves and shins. Since the chairs were the only new thing that might have caused the rashes, we moved them to another room. The rashes however became very worrying, with his whole back developing fluid filled pustules, the worst ones being in the small of the back. Advice from a dermatologist suggested a particular cream which began costing a lot of money as I was having to use most of a tube to cover his back. Despite extremely careful application (I am a former trained nurse) his skin was coming off, and he had to go back to the dermatologist and we mentioned that we believed that the cause of the rash was something to do with the chairs. He prescribed a strong ointment that discoloured vests, shirts and sheets, but ultimately began to improve the situation. We returned from holiday and happened to catch the original 'Watchdog' report on the sofa rashes, and a picture of somebodies back alerted me to the similarities with my husbands problems. The upshot is that my husband contacted the solicitors and has been in receipt of several letters and phone calls, and has provided evidence asked for. My purpose for writing this has been to inform people that Homebase is part of the Argos group of companies (Homebase returned the full money with no questions when we returned the chairs!!) and also to thank 'Watchdog' for not only high-lighting this problem but for continuing with the investigation. Maybe there will ultimately be some compensation, but my husband would much rather not have the permanent scarring on his back, shoulders,lower back,shins and calves that periodically flare up and cause eczematous patches that itch uncontrollably. He has to have the ointment applied twice or three times a week to keep it under control. Hopefully the new legislation will stop this happening agin. thankyou
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Comment number 8.
At 16:31 3rd Mar 2009, tomrostron wrote:how would i know if there is dmf in my sofas.purchased from land of leather a couple of years ago.
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Comment number 9.
At 22:55 3rd Mar 2009, hcrocy wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 10.
At 14:23 7th Mar 2009, vickintony wrote:Hi I have a sofa which is listed on list from land of leather i have tried emailing and ringing them to find out what the next steps are and to make sure it is definately the same sofa but i am not getting any help at all nobody seems to know what i am talking about and I am not sure what to do. I have had an rash 4 a long time which comes and goes and i have scars from them too which gets me down as nobody knows what is causing it please help
thankyou x
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Comment number 11.
At 22:31 8th Mar 2009, bex3885 wrote:I brought my sofas from Land of Leather in december 2006. About 2 years ago I started getting problems with my hands and feet in the way that my skin is falling off and its still happening. What is the best thing for me to do now?
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Comment number 12.
At 18:08 16th Mar 2009, jacqu1mc wrote:I have found a sachet down the back of my sofa, not clear what it is though, its marked CHUNGWANG 4 units and do not eat, other markings not legible. Can anyone tell me if this is DMF? Both my husband and I have had skin complaints, although thankfully not as serious as those above. We bought our sofa and chairs from an independant local retailer.
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Comment number 13.
At 19:21 19th Mar 2009, m97ks21 wrote:Has anyone tried contacting land of leather? i mail emailed them over 2 weeks ago with no response!!! any advice?
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Comment number 14.
At 20:10 27th Mar 2009, bethannie1989 wrote:Hi I bought my 2 seater and 3 seater leather recliner sofa's from Land of Leather in spetember 2007. They were in the sale at £500. I paid for them in march and had to wait as the sales assistant said due to high demand they needed to be specialy made. I have not had any problems with the sofa as in health problems although everytime I am downstairs near them my eyes start to itch and I am constantly sneezing I have been to the doctors a number of times about this. A friend of mine said that the stuff in the sofa can make your immune system bad this is why I am now worrying about my sneezing and eye irratation. Does anyone else know anything about it and also is there a number I can call regarding this matter.
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Comment number 15.
At 20:37 27th Mar 2009, wizzywig1953 wrote:My sister in law bought 2 sofas from [retailer removed] 2 years ago. She was not in the best of health at the time, but deteriorated rapidly in the last 2 years.It was not until I saw a report about the toxic sofas this morning that I became suspicious about her sofas. When she got her son to turn the sofa upside down it was discovered it was one of the models quoted. When I questioned her, she said she has had skin problems, her daughter gets blisters on the bottoms of her feet (she sits with bare feet on the sofa in the evenings)and her friend keeps accusing the dog of having fleas because every time he sits down in her house he starts to itch. My sister in law has been diagnosed with Lupus now and is so poorly that she cannot even face getting the sofas out as she has to get the window of her lounge removed to do it and cannot afford to replace them. I do not know how to help her without stressing her more than she already is.
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Comment number 16.
At 23:11 27th Mar 2009, roseanbilly wrote:i have just become aware of the skin reactions caused by satchets used in the leather sofas.i bought a massage leather recliner chair from argos via the internet in jan/feb this year.i also purchased a leather suite from land of leather approx 2 years ago. i have been going to the doctors with an horrendous skin complaint which started on my back, calves and arms and has spread all over my body soles of my feet, palms of my hands, neck, chest area, head and even in my mouth. my doctor first thought it was excema or scorriocis and treated with steroid creams which didn't have much affect i was then referred to a skin specialist who diagnosed it as lichen planus which has something to do with my immune system breaking down and not working and no reason given as to why, not known. i was in excruciating pain from unbearable itching which led to the affected areas of my skin bleeding and falling off, i was very down and felt miserable making it impossible for me to go to work.the creams,emolients, tablets,bath and shower oils all of which is on prescription which is costly.the treatment i am having now consists of 6 steroid tablets a day to gradually been weaned off them over a period of time, the side effects include staining of my skin through treatment,hair loss because of my head being infected, possible body hair growth due to the steroids. monitored for symptoms of diabetis,dentist been informed to inspect and monitor my mouth and document any changes.i was warned by the doctor to keep a check on my weight as i may gain weight. i am posting this comment because neither my doctor or myself know why this has happened to me but if it has any bearing on the watchdog programme then i would like someone to help me or advise me on what to do next and how to find out and access the relevant information which i need to check the furniture items purchased as i have no item names or codes. may i finish this (essay)by adding some good news,the treatment has a visible and positive effect and appears to be working feeling and looking much better.
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Comment number 17.
At 11:12 29th Mar 2009, sunray29 wrote:Brought 2 leather sofas from [retailer removed] last April. Have just checked them and found 5 sachets containing brown seed like particals. Sachets are white with chinese writing on and the word Desiccant. Can you let me know if these are the same as the ones in your report. We have only been using the room since Novemeber and i have been suffering with breathing problems and joint problems since then but have put it down to the weather.
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Comment number 18.
At 19:18 2nd Apr 2009, canary-yellow wrote:hi Does anyone know when this problem first started, as i got mine sofas back in 2003! and alot of ppl my skin rash was not as severe as most, however still caused me alot of pain and discomfort, with a few trips to the docs, various types of cream, and tablets..
also.. my sofa as what i can gather is NOT on the list,however with the time passed i no longer have my invoice, but im sure they must hold records, of purchase times, and delivery addresses etc.. So does that mean that its not an affected one? as my symptoms are soooo very similar to others,
can someone please help, if there experiencing the same dilema..
also, whats the next steps? with regarding recalls,
we still have the sofas, my hubby still itches from time to time however.!
thanks
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Comment number 19.
At 11:38 3rd Apr 2009, fabdaffodil wrote:My husband and i purchased a leather suite from the [retailer removed] in November 2007. I have since had constant itching and unusual spots appearing on the skin. I put it down to the menopause and the doctor told me to oil my skin 3 times a day as he felt it was eczema. I contacted Land of Leather after watching Watchdog and they said our suite was not on the list of offending suites. I still have extreme itching when i sit on the suite and i sometimes get pain if my skin touches the leather. I have to cover the suite to be able to sit on it which is not how it should be, and my husband has now developed itchy rashes. The solicitors are on my case, although i initially was not convinced it was the leather that was causing the problem, but now i`m sure that the chemicals in the tanning of the leather are the cause of our discomfort and hope that there will be some help as i now want to dispose of our suite and purchase another one. Hopefully we will win and everyone who purchased these offensive and seriously unhealthy suites are compensated and these suites are totally banned. I had a leather suite previously for years and was very expensive when i purchased it and it was a joy to own with no problems and was made in England, so maybe theres a message for all of us whom brought these cheapish imports!!!!
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Comment number 20.
At 22:47 4th Apr 2009, csjkay wrote:I bought a sofa from land of leather in June 07 which is on the list of affected sofas. We have been having skin rashes, hives and eye irritation even our dog seems to be suffering from itching and red skin, but didn't think it was the sofa until after watching watchdog and then checked the list. Where do we go from here to see if it should be recalled?
Thanks
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Comment number 21.
At 12:42 7th Apr 2009, queenxangelx wrote:I have just watched your programme on the 2nd of April (very late night/early morning) I believe it was a repeat.
My husband and I purchased a leather sofa from land of leather a few years ago, I am so grateful to watchdog I thought I was going mad, although I am angry I am also relieved of the cause of my symptons which is very similar to those displayed on your programme. I have been to see my G.P for the last 2 years, hospital consultants for my hair loss and a appointment previously booked to see a dermoltologist, as my symptons has spread all over my body, such as; rashes on my back, neck, chest, stomach, arms, hands, thighs and the back of my legs.
My G.P thought it was eczema but I have never suffered this condition before and now we are both concerned this may not be the case.
I have been using numerous creams and none of them are working, I need advise on how to stop the hot itching sensation, change my sofa and where do I go from here to proceed with the next form of action.
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