Child Safety Regulations
(March 11, 2007)
ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standards
As you might have heard already over the past months, the European Union has adopted a new norm for cigarette lighters, known as the EN13869. This norm requires that all lighters that are imported in the future should have "Child Safety".
Here is an explanation of the new legislation.
DATES AND FACTS
All cigarette lighters that are imported within the European Union before 11 March, 2007 can be WITHOUT "Child Safety".
All cigarette lighters that are imported within the European Union after 11 March, 2007 must be WITH "Child Safety"
EXCEPTIONS:
However, all cigarette lighters (flint as well as piezo electronic) that are already imported within the European Union before 11 March, 2007 that are without "Child Safety" can be sold until 11 March, 2008, without any problems. This was a very important issue to all importers to overcome stock problems.
However, wholesalers and retailers can sell so far on a open-end basis.
WHAT CHANGES?
There are three options:-
Slipping Flint Wheel for flint lighters
Heavy Piezo Unit (1 Step Action) the ignition unit that you have to depress to ignite the lighter is harder to activate.
Lock System (2 Step Action) the lighter has a lock system that needs unlocking before the lighter can be ignited.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Heavy Piezo Unit - the ignition unit that you have to depress to ignite the lighter is harder to activate.
Lock System - the lighter has a lock system that needs unlocking before the lighter can be ignited.
We have chosen the least complicated, most user-friendly "heavy piezo" child safety system.
WHAT ELSE IS CHANGING?
Child Safety is not only a technical aspect that should be physically changed on the lighter. All "safety systems" (CR) need to be tested and approved (certified) before they can be imported for the European Union.
ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standards is required to comply with the Child Safety standard.
Starting from March 11, 2007, only lighters that comply with the new ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standards will be allowed to be imported and they have to have an approved and certified Child Safety system built in,
What is new about the ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standard?
CHILD SAFETY CERTIFICATION
Child Safety certification is only possible if the cigarette lighter complies with the ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standard.
If a cigarette lighter is tested for Child Safety certification, it has to pass:-
heavy piezo or approved lock system testing
ISO 9994 - 2005 Quality Standard
If the cigarette lighters fail for one of the test procedures, the lighter does not get a Child Safety certificate and can not be imported for the European Union.
PACKAGING
Here are the new guidelines for the packaging of lighters
Does Child Safety apply to me...?
Child Safety applies to all 25 European Union member states (countries) and the new members as of 1st January, 2007.
GERMANY
FRANCE
NETHERLANDS
BELGUIM
LUXEMBOURG
AUSTRIA
PORTUGAL
SPAIN
ITALY
UNITED KINGDOM
IRELAND
POLAND
CZECH REPUBLIC
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
HUNGARY
LITHUANIA
LATVIA
ESTONIA
MALTA
CYPRUS
GREECE
FINLAND
DENMARK
SWEDEN
New members starting from 1st Jan 2007
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
How to be Ready...
As you might expect from your professional lighter supplier, our stocks have been replaced by "Child Safety" lighters
Questions
If you still have questions regarding "Child Safety", please contact us on
Tel: +44 (0)1252 400270
Fax: +44 (0)1252 334821
Email: sales@pens.co.uk
