Brussels, 21/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - In two studies published on Monday 21 April, the Commission revealed that joint action by EU member states to improve cross-border market safety for electrical products is bearing fruit and improving consumer safety. The studies examine 2006 and 2007 and focus on portable household lights and cord extension sets - two products which RAPEX, the EU's early warning system for non-food dangerous products, classifies as particularly dangerous (EUROPE 9645). Out of 226 samples of lamps, inspectors found that only 5% of them complied with European standards. For cord extensions, the picture is even more gloomy: only one out of six (out of 210 samples tested) fully complied with the directive on general product security.
These projects were supported by PROSAFE (Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe), a network of regulatory agencies and market surveillance authorities. Günter Verheugen, the European commissioner for industry, and Meglena Kuneva, the commissioner for consumer protection, called on business leaders to identify the best solutions for rectifying the problems identified. Other studies are planned, particularly on Christmas lights, equipment for recreational areas, and products that contain suffocation risks to children. (A.N.)