The National Market Surveillance Office has issued the following Safety Gate RAPEX Alert for Spax Concrete Screws with the link below. 

A quality issue has been identified with SPAX concrete screws with a diameter of 5mm and 6mm that were placed on the market from September 1, 2021, in accordance with ETA-20/0859, ie structural fasteners in cracked and non-cracked concrete.

The SX-BS concrete screw does not meet the EAD 330232-00-0601 criteria for susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (N3). Consequently, the bolts can pose a serious risk if bolt failure occurs, resulting in damage or failure of the attached components. This can pose a risk to health and life if people are in the affected area.

The recall affects all SPAX concrete screws with a diameter of 5mm and 6mm and all head shapes (HS, SK, RK, RKG, AG and IG). SPAX concrete screws according to ETA-20/0859 are approved for use in dry indoor areas, which reduces the risk of damage.

Link: https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10009136?lang=en

Product description: (Spax Concrete Screws)

Please find attached the following for your information: 

  1. Rapex alert  
  2. Recall Spax Concrete. 

Alert number: A12/01396/23 – Details

Product category
Construction products
Product
Concrete screws
Name
SX-BS-06
Brand
SPAX
Batch number
ETA-20/0859
Type / number of model
SPAX-Betonschraube SX-BS-06 
Product description
Concrete screw for use in cracked and uncracked concrete with reduced (hef = 32 mm/hnom = 43 mm) and standard embedment depth
Packaging description
Green cardboard box
Country of origin
Germany
Risk type
Injuries
Risk description
The screws are sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement and may fail, without any prior warning signs. The screws can also fail at low loading, shortly after installation or after longer time. Sudden failure of the concrete screws may cause heavy elements to fall, causing injuries to bystanders.
Legal provisions (at EU level) and European standards against which the product was tested and did not comply
The product does not comply with Regulation laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products.
 
Measures taken by economic operators (Manufacturer)
Warning consumers of the risks

Date of entry into force 03/03/2023

Measures taken by economic operators (Manufacturer)
Withdrawal of the product from the market

Date of entry into force 03/03/2023

Measures taken by economic operators (Manufacturer)
Stop of sales

Date of entry into force 03/03/2023

Measures taken by economic operators (Manufacturer)
Recall of the product from end users

Date of entry into force 03/03/2023

Recall website
https://www.spax.com/de-de/services-fuer-profis/rueckruf-spax-betonschrauben.html