EU Commission Announces Twelve Month Extension on Child Resistant Lighter Decision

EALING, U.K. - April 17, 2015 - PRLog -- EU Decision 2006/502/EC Undergoes Additional Extension

In article 6 of Decision 2006/502 EC, paragraph 2 has been replaced by, “This Decision shall apply until 11 May 2016.”

This decision takes effect starting on May 11, 2015. On May 11, 2006, the Commission adopted a Decision (2006/502/EC) requiring member states to ensure that, beginning on March 1, 2007, cigarette lighters are child-resistant when placed on the EU market. The Decision also prohibits placing lighters resembling objects particularly attractive to children - so-called ‘novelty lighters’- on the market. Certain lighters, such as luxury lighters, are excluded from the scope of the Decision based on a number of technical criteria, but must always comply with the general safety requirements for these products.

Decision 2006/502/EC was originally for a period of 12 months and has been extended 8 times previously; the new Decision (EU) 2015/249 is the 9th such extension.

Novelty Lighters Included in Prohibition

As of March 11, 2007, the importation of novelty lighters is prohibited.
The definition of a novelty lighter is a lighter that: (For full definition see EN 13869)

- Is commonly used by consumers to light cigarettes, cigars and pipes; and that
- Resembles by any means another object commonly recognized as appealing to, or intended for use, by children younger than 51 months; or
- Has entertaining audio effects, or
- Has animated effects.

Only Child Resistant Lighters Permitted

Lighters sold with a 2 year written guarantee, refillable lighters and those able to be repaired by a European-based after sales service are not subject to this regulation.

Lighters that are not exempt from this decision must meet the requirements of EN 13869 (Child resistance for lighters – Safety requirements and test methods) or be in accordance with the testing requirements of the relevant rules of non-EU countries where child resistant requirements equivalent to those established by this decision are in force.

The requirements for child resistant lighters are:

- Lighters shall comply with the requirements of EN ISO 9994
- No lighter shall be a novelty lighter
- Lighters shall be resistant to successful operation by at least 85% of the child test panel when tested in accordance with clause 5

The mechanism or system of a lighter that makes the product resist successful operation by children shall:

- Reset itself automatically after each operation of the ignition mechanism of the lighter,
- Not impair safe operation of the lighter when used in a normal and convenient manner,
- Be effective for the reasonable operating life of the lighter and
- Not be easily overridden or deactivated.

Please note that a child resistant lighter is not a child proof lighter. A child resistant lighter is a lighter that at least 85% of children under 51 months of age cannot operate, meaning that up to 15% of these children may still be able to operate such a lighter.

References:

- EU Law and Publications - Decision 2006/502/EC (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:...)
- EU Law and Publications - Decision (EU) 2015/249 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:...)

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