The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) first published a product safety report on 20 May 2025 covering two Caple-branded built-in heat pump tumble dryers, models TDi4001 and TDi4000, made in Turkey1. The report is rated serious and concerns a risk of fire1. The manufacturer has initiated a modification programme1.
The hazard is described as an internal short circuit that can occur during normal use, causing the tumble dryer to ignite1. The report states that the products do not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 20161.
"Owners are strongly advised to STOP USING THE PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY and contact the manufacturer to arrange for a modification to take place. The product should not be used until the modification has taken place."
The report sets out how owners can tell whether an appliance has been modified. Appliances that have received the current modification carry a "J7" marking on the rating plate, and no further action is required1. Affected appliances that have not received the current modification either carry an "HM1" marking on the rating plate or have no marking at all; these remain affected by the safety risk and should not be used until a modification has been completed1. Owners can check whether they have an affected product by checking the model number and serial number and following the instructions on the manufacturer's website1. If the plug is accessible, the report advises switching off and unplugging the appliance1.
The page was updated on 1 August 2025 with a warning to owners of appliances that had been modified before that date, stating that a fire risk still exists and that products should stop being used immediately1. The update refers to a Requirement to Warn Notice issued to Haier1. The report does not state how many appliances are affected, and no figure for the number of units in scope has been reported1.
| Rating plate marking | Status |
|---|---|
| "J7" | Current modification received; no further action required |
| "HM1" | Not modified; still affected, do not use |
| No marking | Not modified; still affected, do not use |
Why it matters for households
A tumble dryer that can ignite during normal use is a fire risk inside the home, and the report places these models in the serious risk category1. The practical point for a household is the rating plate: the marking determines whether an appliance is clear or still affected, and the 1 August 2025 update means that even some appliances modified before that date are now treated as still carrying the risk1. The report does not say what the modification involves, how long it takes or whether it is carried out in the home, and none of that has been reported1. The wider context is that heat pump dryers sit inside the same household electrical system as other appliances, and a fault that can start a fire bears on the safety of the home rather than on how much energy it uses. Households with a recalled or modified appliance can find the underlying notice through the Home Energy Product Recalls and Safety Notices page, and the regulatory framework behind such reports is set out in the regulation-policy hub. Product approval and listing arrangements for manufacturers are covered under Manufacturer Certification: MCS Product Listing, Kitemark and Keymark, with wider company information in the manufacturers hub.
What happens next
The report was first published on 20 May 2025 and last updated on 1 August 20251. No further dated steps have been reported1.