CEMarking.TV - The CE Marking Blogcast

Christmas lights: EU sounds safety alert

Han Zuyderwijk — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:09:31 +0000

EU testing shows serious risk of shocks and fire in many lights. Stay safe – turn them off when you go to bed or leave the house. One in three sets of Christmas lights tested in a commission-led market survey presented a direct risk of fire or electric shock. Tests were carried out in Germany, Hungary, the [...]

EU to set new safety standards for sleeping products for newborns and young children

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:35:58 +0000

New safety standards for children’s sleeping items – including duvets, baby sleeping bags and cot mattresses – which should help to prevent many cot –related accidents, were given a green light today by EU Member States. The vote took place in the General Product Safety Committee in Brussels. Cot-related accidents are responsible for more childhood [...]

EU-China Trade: Facts and Figures

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:21:07 +0000

China is the single most important challenge for EU trade policy. EU-China trade has increased dramatically in recent years. China is now the EU's 2nd trading partner behind the USA and the biggest source of imports. The EU is China's biggest trading partner. China is set to be the biggest national exporter in the global economy in 2009. China now accounts for about 9% of world trade in goods. Total bilateral trade between the EU and China was worth €326 billion in 2008.

EU crackdown on websites selling consumer electronic goods

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:44:47 +0000

EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva today announced the results of an EU-wide investigation - involving 26 Member States and Norway and Iceland - into misleading advertising and unfair practices on websites selling consumer electronic goods. The clampdown covered 369 websites selling six of the most popular electronic goods to consumers in the EU - digital cameras, mobile phones, personal music players, DVD players, computer equipment and game consoles. It covered 200 of the biggest websites selling electronic equipment in the EU as well as more than 100 websites which were targeted on the basis of consumer complaints. The results of the checks carried out in May this year show that 55% of the websites investigated showed irregularities in particular relating to: misleading information about consumer rights; misleading information about the total cost of the product; or incomplete contact details for the trader. The initial checks by national authorities will now be followed by an enforcement phase when companies are contacted by national authorities and required to correct their websites or clarify their position. At this first stage, three countries – Iceland, Latvia and Norway – have published names of the websites covered by the investigation.

Three year extension for applicability EN 954-1

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:43:47 +0000

The European Commission (EC) has announced that BS EN 954-1 can be used to support compliance to the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC for a further three years in spite of the introduction of new replacement standards.

Mattel fined $2.3 mln for tainted toys from China

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:35:57 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Friday it fined Mattel Inc (MAT.N) $2.3 million for violating a ban on bringing dangerous products into the United States.

New lists of harmonized standards for EMC, low voltage equipment, gas appliances and PPE

Han Zuyderwijk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:02:44 +0000

The European Commission has published new lists of European harmonized standards for EMC, Low Voltage Directive, Gas Appliances Directive and the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (PPE).

EU and China to hold high-level economic and trade talks

Han Zuyderwijk — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:54:27 +0000

The European Commission and the Chinese government will tomorrow continue their close working relationship with high-level economic and trade talks in Brussels. EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan will chair the second meeting of the High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue (HED). A further eight EU Commissioners and a total of 12 Chinese ministers or vice-ministers are set to participate in far-reaching talks aimed at strengthening the trade and investment relationship in order to speed recovery in the current economic crisis.

The European Parliament votes to amend new Machinery Directive and improve pesticides machinery

Han Zuyderwijk — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:44:13 +0000

Machinery used for applying pesticides in European farms, orchards, vineyards, parks and gardens will be more environmentally friendly, thanks to a measure just adopted by the European Parliament.

EU-Canada Summit to launch negotiations for a new economic and free trade agreement

Han Zuyderwijk — Wed, 06 May 2009 06:04:11 +0000

EU-Canada Summit to launch negotiations for a new economic and free trade agreement