Brussels, 02/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to a recent report published on Wednesday 2 December by the European Commission, 30% of Christmas lights could expose consumers to an obvious and direct risk of fire and electric shock. The report presents the conclusions of the joint market monitoring project by the authorities of five Member States (Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia) and the European Commission. Tests were carried out randomly between November 2007 and May 2009 on 196 random samples of lights representative of the full price range. The conformity of the samples was verified on the basis of more than 20 administrative and technical criteria. Many of the lights failed multiple tests.
According to the report, serious problems causing increased risks of electric shock or fire, or both, were observed in 30.4% of the lights tested. In general, these problems stem from a failure to respect technical safety requirements, for instance in the production of plugs, the setting of wiring, the use of a type of cable, insulation or protection from electric shocks. Less serious problems of non-conformity, which do not immediately compromise the safety of the consumer, were noted in an additional 40% of the lights tested. These concerned, amongst other things, problems with labelling, instructions or administrative instructions.
The three main problems noted related to: - cord anchorage. 25% of the lights failed the safety tests. Insufficient cord anchorage can lead to the electric wires coming loose, with a high risk of electric shock (serious problem); - the cross-sectional area. In 23% of the lights tested, this area did not comply. In other words, the wiring is too thin for the electric currents it is carrying, which increases the risk of overheating and fire (serious problem); - safety tests for cables. 28% of the lights failed these tests. The insulation and finishing of the lights did not provide protection against the risk of electric shock (serious problem).
Additionally, there are other technical requirements which are also regularly neglected, albeit less frequently: these include basic mechanical problems such as sharp edges which can cause injury. Furthermore, nearly 15% of the sample lights did not carry the "technical markings" required. Still more importantly, 40% of the sample lights did not carry warnings and nearly 35% of them came without adequate instructions for use. It is also worth noting that in many cases, the non-compliant lights failed more than one safety test; a large number of the lights failed between 4 and 7 tests and some of them failed almost all the technical tests.
The degree of non-conformity varies between Member States. In Hungary, 95.7% of the lights featured serious risks for consumers, whereas in the Netherlands, just 56% of the lights tested presented any failings whatsoever. This can be partly explained by the market monitoring for Christmas tree lights which has been in place in this Member State for eight years, halving the number of dangerous products available. As for the origin of dangerous products, some 41% of the 196 samples to be tested came from China.
Given the high level of non-conformity observed by the authorities, the Commission has issued a press release in which it stresses that "public surveillance and enforcement authorities which specifically target lighting chains will continue as a priority, using coordinated action, with as many Member States as possible. Industry will also need to step up controls. Under EU law, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers are legally responsible for the safety of the products they put on the market".
The Commission went on to urge consumers to be vigilant and to take basic safety measures to reduce the risks to a minimum: - by Christmas lights from reputable dealers where basic safety standards should be assured; - never leave lights on in an empty house or when people are asleep; - in the event of suspicion of any kind of electrical or mechanical problem with new lights or ones which have already been used, do not take the risk: stop using them, take them back to the shop and complain.
For more detailed information: http: //ec.europa.eu/consumers/pro/index_fr.htm. (O.L./trans.fl)