WRITTEN QUESTION E-2404/02 by Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Imports into the EU of cigarette lighters from China.
Date: 2002-08-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, European standard, import (EU), non-durable goods, originating product, product safety, safety standard, surveillance concerning imports

C 309 E/232

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

(2002/C 309 E/264)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2404/02

by Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Imports into the EU of cigarette lighters from China

(7 August 2002)

On 7 May 1998, the Commission drew up mandate M/266 providing for an improvement in safety
requirements for cigarette lighters and the introduction of a child protection specification in line with the
existing US standard. This provision has already met with a response in the form of an improvement in
the safety specifications for lighters, ISO 9994, and the imminent adoption of a draft standard, EN 13869,
introducing a child-resistance standard by the Member States of
the CEN (product safety Directive
2001/95/EC (1) & consumer protection). However, these standards are voluntary. A provision to introduce
these standards as mandatory has not yet been complied with. As a result, lighters which only extremely
rarely meet safety standards and observe consumer protection rules have been imported into the EU for
years from the Far East. In addition, such imports subject European manufacturers to tough competition
which does not respect European safety standards.

Is the Commission aware of this problem?

Does the Commission have data concerning imports of cheap lighters into the EU?

In connection with the safety of lighters, will the Commission draw up a separate proposal for imported
lighters?

(1) OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

There is no specific Community legislation for lighters. However, the safety of cigarette lighters falls under
Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety (1) which requires that consumer
products placed on the market are safe and that Member States shall monitor the market and take actions
against non-complying products.

For assessing the safety of specific product categories the Directive, in the absence of national legislation,
makes reference to, in the first place, European standards. This applies irrespective of the country of origin
of the product.

surveillance of cigarette lighters poses

Member States
is estimated that
approximately half a billion lighters are sold every year within the Union, of which about 50 % are
imported. In addition, tests of lighters are often complicated and costly. The importance of this control will
be further accentuated in relation to the introduction of new requirements relating to child-safety
mechanisms.

specific problems as

it

The Commission has therefore initiated specific actions in respect of reinforced market surveillance. An
ad-hoc working group, in which relevant stakeholders have also participated, has initiated e.g. specific
projects for surveillance co-operation between Member States and for strengthening customs control of
lighters imported from third countries. Discussions have also taken place with the authorities of the main
Far Eastern manufacturing countries.

Member States have indicated in the committee of Directive 92/59/EEC, where the issue is regularly raised,
that effective actions are now being taken in order to strengthen the surveillance both on the marketplace
and at the borders by customs authorities. The Commission will continue to monitor these developments.

(1) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.