If you recently bought a rugged smartphone or smartwatch on Amazon marketed as “intrinsically safe,” you might be at serious risk without knowing it. In a newly issued product safety alert, the UK government has ordered an urgent recall of several electronic devices sold under the Dorland brand due to a high risk of fire and explosion. These products were sold through Amazon and advertised as suitable for use in hazardous environments—yet they lack the very safety certifications required by law.
This development has sent shockwaves through both the tech and consumer safety communities, as it underscores the potential dangers of buying unverified safety-critical electronics from online marketplaces. If you own a Dorland smartphone, smartwatch, or industrial laptop, this article will help you identify whether your device is affected, explain the risks, and guide you on what to do next.
The Brand in Question: Dorland Electronics
Dorland is a lesser-known electronics manufacturer that gained attention by marketing smartphones, laptops, and smartwatches as “intrinsically safe”—meaning they’re designed to operate safely in hazardous environments, such as oil rigs, chemical plants, or mines, where flammable gases and dust are present.
These devices were positioned as durable, explosion-proof tools for industrial use. With claims of rugged design, advanced Android systems, and international functionality, they attracted a niche market of professionals needing reliable equipment in volatile settings.
However, this reputation is now under fire. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the UK’s workplace safety regulator, found that these Dorland devices do not meet critical safety standards and lack the required conformity assessments under the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016. Simply put, they’re not as “safe” as advertised—and using them in explosive zones could be catastrophic.
Full List of Recalled Dorland Devices
Here’s the complete list of devices currently under recall, as confirmed by the UK government and published on the official gov.uk product safety recall portal:
Smartphones:
- Dorland Extreme 5G Industrial ‘Intrinsically Safe’ Smartphone (Android 11)
- Dorland Extra 5G Rugged Smartphone (Android 12)
- Dorland Extra 5G Plus Explosion-Proof Smartphone (Android 13)
- Dorland Aloha 5G Pro Rugged Phone
- Dorland Extra 5G Pro Smartphone (Android 12)
- Dorland EX08 Pro Outdoor Smartphone (Android 14)
- Dorland Unicorn 10 Pro 4G Smartphone (Android 13)
Laptop:
- Dorland Laptop EX NB09S 4G Industrial Laptop
Smartwatches:
- Dorland Smartwatch EX Smart 04 Plus (4G, 2.86-inch, Android 7.1)
- Dorland Smartwatch EX 02 Plus (4G, 1.6-inch, Android 11)
Consumers who own any of the above models are urged to stop using them immediately and follow Amazon’s return instructions.
Why These Devices Were Recalled
At the core of the recall is a failure to comply with UK safety laws concerning electronics used in potentially explosive environments. Specifically, the Dorland devices:
- Do not carry the required UKCA or CE marking
- Lack certification from notified bodies
- Were sold without evidence of proper testing for use in Zone 1/Zone 2 hazardous areas
- Could ignite flammable atmospheres if used as intended
By marketing these devices as “intrinsically safe,” Dorland misled buyers into believing the products were suitable for dangerous industrial conditions. In reality, using one of these devices in a volatile environment could result in ignition of gases, leading to explosions or fires.
This is not just a case of misleading advertising—it’s a major public safety concern. That’s why regulators acted swiftly to issue an urgent recall and warning.
What ‘Intrinsically Safe’ Means—and Why It Matters
“Intrinsically safe” is more than just a tech buzzword. In industrial environments, it’s a regulated term meaning that an electronic device has been engineered to limit the electrical and thermal energy available during normal operation and in fault conditions—thereby preventing sparks or heat that could ignite flammable materials.
Devices with this designation must pass rigorous testing and receive third-party certification. They’re used in oil refineries, chemical plants, underground mines, and other high-risk areas where a single spark can have deadly consequences.
Dorland’s claim that their smartphones, smartwatches, and laptops were “intrinsically safe” gave users a false sense of security—especially dangerous given the environments these devices were intended for.
By not complying with safety regulations, Dorland put users at risk not just of injury but potentially of mass-casualty incidents. This is why the recall is being treated with such urgency and seriousness by the UK authorities.
