Conformity Magazine - March 2009 - (Page 42) NewsBreaks continued from page 11 The regulation, which was published in December in the Official Journal of the European Union, is an “implementing measure” under the EU’s so-called eco-design directive (2005/32/EC), which is intended to reduce the energy consumption of electrically-powered consumer products. The key information regarding the regulation is to be found in the Annexes. Annex I lists the energy-using products covered by the regulation, which includes a wide range of household appliances (including washing machines, electric and microwave ovens, kitchen appliances and personal care products), consumer electrical and electronic equipment (including televisions, audio systems, home theatre equipment, and musical instruments), toys and sports equipment (including video games), and, most important, “information technology equipment intended primarily for use in the domestic environment.” Annex II details the power consumption limits in both off and stand-by modes. By the beginning of 2010, power consumption in the off mode will be limited to not more than 1 W, while power consumption in stand-by mode will be limited to not more than either 1 W or 2 W, depending on the functions available in that mode. By 2013, power consumption in off mode will be limited to not more than 0.5 W, while power consumption in stand-by mode will be limited to not more than either 0.5 W or 1 W, again depending on the functions available. Our readers can view the complete text of the regulation at www.conformity.com/2715. and accumulators in order to clarify the status of those devices placed on the market before the directive’s effective date. In an amending directive, published in December 2008 in the Official Journal of the European Union, the Commission reworded the implementation provisions to ensure that batteries placed on the market prior to the September 26, 2008 effective date can remain on the market. The Commission says that the clarification will “provide legal certainty for batteries…and ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market.” Our readers can view the text of the amending directive at www.conformity.com/2716. identify any country of origin at all. Rounding out the top five country of origins for unsafe products were Germany (5%), Italy (4%) and Hong Kong (3%) Our readers can view the complete text of the Commission’s most recent report on RAPEX statistics at www.conformity.com/2717. CPSC Actions in the News In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following manufacturers, distributors and retailers have issued voluntary recalls for certain consumer electrical and electronic products. Here are the details: “How-to” Books on Electrical Wiring: The Taunton Press of Newtown, CT is recalling about 64,000 copies of its instructional publications “Wiring a House, 3rd Edition” and “Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish.” The company says that the books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring. Taunton Press has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the books, but has initiated the recall to prevent possible future incidents. The recalled books were sold through home improvement stores, book stores and other retailers nationwide from February through November 2008 for about $25. Dishwashers: BSH Home Appliances of Huntington Beach, CA has recalled about 467,500 Bosch and Siemensbrand dishwashers. BSH says that an electrical component in certain model dishwashers can overheat, posting a fire hazard to consumers. The company has received 51 reports of incidents, including 30 reports of fires resulting in property damage, but no reports of injuries. The recalled dishwashers were sold through appliance and specialty retailers nationwide from May 1999 through December 2006 for between $550 and $1100. EU Commission Releases RAPEX Stats on Unsafe Consumer Products The Commission of the European Union (EU) has released statistics for the first 11 months of 2008 on notices of unsafe consumer products that have been processed through the EU’s rapid information system (RAPEX). For the period of January through November 2008, the Commission now reports a 15% overall increase in the number of notifications involving products that posed a serious risks to consumers, jumping from 1486 notifications in the first 11 months of 2007 to 1705 notifications during the comparable period in 2008. Of the 1705 notifications, 465 were related to the product category of toys, and 162 were related to electrical appliances. Notifications involving unsafe toys has jumped 20% over the comparable 2007 period, according the RAPEX report. Regarding the country of origin identified in connection with unsafe products, more than half (56%) of all notifications were related to products originating from China, with another 11% of unsafe products failing to EU Commission Amends Directive on Batteries and Accumulators The Commission of the European Union (EU) has amended the provisions of its Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries 2 Conformity marCh 2009 http://www.conformity.com/2717 http://www.conformity.com/2716 http://www.conformity.com/2715
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