Technical Service Advisory for Users of Selected Nikon Binoculars

Updated: May 16, 2024

Thank you for choosing Nikon Sport & Recreational Optics.

It has come to our attention that the imitation leather attached to the surface of certain Nikon binocular bodies (as specified below) may have exceeded the standard value for the total concentration of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (“DEHP”) specified in the European Union Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals regulation (“ REACH”) *1, *2.

October 15, 2024 Update: We have recently learned that certain units of Eligible Affected Products bear a duplicate serial number as other units of Eligible Affected Products and these units bearing the duplicate serial number are not subject to or eligible for replacement under this Technical Service Advisory. Product units bearing the symbol “TP” that are marked with the country of origin as “Made in Japan” on the nameplate and that have serial numbers within the Eligible Affected Product Serial No. Range are eligible for return, however, product units bearing the symbol “TP” that are marked with the country of origin “Japan” only on the nameplate are not eligible for replacement, notwithstanding that the product unit’s serial number may fall within the Eligible Affected Product Serial No. Range. Please review the “To Locate the symbols and serial numbers of potentially affected binoculars” section below for an illustration showing how to determine if your product unit is eligible for replacement under this Technical Service Advisory.

May 16, 2024 Update:  We would like to inform users that we are announcing the schedule and procedure for replacing potentially affected products.  Please see below the updated schedule.

From the perspective of ensuring compliance, Nikon will replace the affected binoculars free of charge upon request, including shipping, regardless of the warranty period, not only for customers in countries that are subject to REACH, but also for customers in other regions where the affected binoculars were sold.

*1 The EU REACH Regulation No 1907/2006 is a European regulation on chemical substance management that became effective on June 1, 2007. Under REACH regulations, chemical substances imported into the EU are subject to REACH obligations. Also, in a number of non-EU countries, similar legislation has been enacted.  

*2 Since July 7, 2020, strict standard values have been established for the total concentration of phthalates

(REACH Regulation Annex 17 Entry 51, section 3).

Upon discovery of this issue, Nikon has immediately suspended any shipments and sales of all potentially affected binoculars in distribution channels controlled by Nikon.

Nikon has assessed the situation and determined that the potential non-conformity with REACH does not give rise to any concern for health risk to users under normal usage.

Nonetheless, Nikon will replace any affected products free of charge, including shipping, regardless of the warranty period. Nikon is working on a replacement product and will announce on its website as soon as such replacement product becomes available.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We are determined to continue to improve the quality in the future, and we thank you for your continued support of our products.

Eligible affected Binoculars and how to receive a replacement

The following table shows the product name, identification symbols, and serial numbers of potentially affected binoculars.

October 15, 2024 Update: Only those product units bearing the symbol “TP” that are marked with the country of origin as “Made in Japan” on the nameplate, and are within the Eligible Affected Product Serial No. Range are eligible for return.

May 16, 2024 Update: Please see below the Eligible Affected Product Name with the starting date for replacement inserted into the “Schedule to start replacement” box.

Eligible Affected Product Name	Eligible Affected Product Symbol	Eligible Affected Product Serial No. Range	Schedule to start replacement
18x70 IF WP WF	TP	851135　～　852085*	May 16, 2024

* Please note that the Eligible Affected Product Serial No. Range has been extended.

To Locate the symbols and serial numbers of potentially affected binoculars:

Please check the symbol and serial number on the following location of the potentially affected binoculars.

Those binoculars with the product name identified in the table above whose serial numbers and symbols match the serial numbers in the serial number range and symbols in the table above and marked with the country of origin as “Made in Japan” are eligible for replacement.

ELIGIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT:

Those binoculars with the product name identified in the table above whose serial numbers and symbols match the serial numbers in the serial number range and symbols in the table above but are marked with the country of origin as “Japan” are not eligible for replacement.

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT:

If you have an affected binocular, please contact Nikon Support at: https://www.nikonproductsupport.com/s/contactsupport?language=en_US

Please have your product model, symbol and serial number readily available at your visit to our support site.  If your product is among those affected, you will be requested to provide shipping information with regards to receiving a replacement product. Replacement products will be shipped when the same are available.

October 15, 2024 Update: If we receive a product unit that is not eligible for replacement we will return that product unit to you. Also, we have received a large volume of requests under this Technical Service Advisory and replacements may be delayed. We appreciate your patience in this regard.

Measures to prevent recurrence

In response to this finding, all relevant employees will be re-trained to ensure compliance with REACH. We will also further strengthen our inspection process, and better instruct and manage suppliers with regard to REACH in an effort to prevent issues like this from occurring again in the future.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause you.