With today's busy lifestyles, prolonged sitting, constant use of electronic devices, and poor posture can easily lead to shoulder and neck pain. Convenient "massage guns" have become a popular choice for many consumers to relieve discomfort. To assess the safety of these devices on the market, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Consumers' Foundation teamed up to randomly purchase 10 different brands and models of massage guns from major stores, home appliance shops, and online platforms in 2023 for testing. The results revealed that while all products met quality requirements, three products fell short in items like "key component comparison," "Commodity Inspection Mark," and "Chinese labeling."

BSMI advises consumers to choose massage guns with the "Commodity Inspection Mark" and to check for complete Chinese labeling on the packaging, which should include the manufacturer's name, address, model, and specifications (such as voltage and power consumption). Consumers should also carefully read the instructions, warnings, and usage precautions when using these devices. Additionally, consumers should ensure that the power plug and socket are securely connected during charging, avoid loosening or incomplete insertion, and unplug the device by holding the plug rather than pulling the cord to prevent internal wire breakage. Pregnant women, individuals with osteoporosis, gout, skin diseases, chronic illnesses, or other serious conditions, as well as those undergoing medical treatment or feeling unwell, should consult a doctor before using a massage gun.

The handling of non-compliant products is as follows:

For products with non-compliant "product inspection marks" (item 10), fines ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$2,000,000 have been imposed according to Article 60, Paragraph 1 of the Commodity Inspection Act. Additionally, the responsible party has been notified to recall or correct the products within a specified period according to Article 63, Paragraph 2 of the same law.

Here's how the non-compliant products are handled:

1.Key Component Comparison: the suppliers were required to apply for approval according to Article 40, Paragraph 1 of the Commodity Inspection Act. Failure to take corrective actions within the deadline will result in the recission of their product registration.

2.Commodity Inspection Mark: Fines ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$2,000,000 were imposed according to Article 60, Paragraph 1 of the Commodity Inspection Act. The responsible person was also notified to recall or take corrective actions within a specified period.

3.Chinese Labeling: the suppliers were notified to make corrections within a specified period according to Article 59 of the Commodity Inspection Act. Failure to comply within the deadline will result in fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$1,000,000, and the rescission of their product registration.

BSMI stated that "massage guns" are listed as items requiring inspection and must complete the inspection process before being sold on the market. Each year, the BSMI formulates a market inspection plan for goods in circulation. If non-compliant items are found, they will be handled in accordance with relevant regulations.

Responsible Division: Inspection Administration Division

Contact Person: Cheng, Ching-Hong, Deputy Director

Tel. (O): +886-2343-1763

Email: ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw