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As of April 30th, 2007, pursuant to the Regulation of the Council of Ministers, marketing novelty lighters and lighters which are not child-resistant is totally prohibited in Poland. The ban is related to the decisions of the European Commission (Decision 2006/502/EC and Decision 2007/231/EC) that aim to protect children.
Children may mistakenly take novelty lighters, whose shape often resembles toys, cartoon characters, everyday use products, animals, dishes or drinks, for objects fit for playing. A precise definition of a novelty lighter is set forth in point 3.2 of the PN-EN 13869:2006 standard “Child-resistance for lighters – Safety requirements and test methods. See which lighters are not novelty ones.
The new regulations apply to products commonly used by consumers to light cigarettes, cigars and pipes, and do not apply to utility lighters used to light grills or fireplaces.
New regulations do not apply to luxury lighters, designed to be refilled with fuel, which have a two-year warranty and their parts may be replaced or repaired at special service shops.
Polish regulations cover products that were placed on the Polish market after April 30th, 2007. The Regulation of the Council of Ministers provides for a transition period until March 10th, 2008, during which lighters placed on the market before the effective date of the new requirements may be sold.
Regardless on the above regulations, all lighters, including the luxury and utility ones, must meet the requirements provided for in the Act on general product safety: enterprises responsible for introducing lighters to the market, should put i.a. their name, address and markings identifying the product on the lighter or its package.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection advises parents to remember that the new regulations do not guarantee complete children-resistance of all lighters. They will be, nevertheless, difficult to start for the youngest children (under 51 months of age). Adults should teach children not to play with matches.
All the details regarding the regulations on lighters may be found in the European Commission’s Guidelines.