Beware of counterfeit Christmas Lights -...
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If you suspect counterfeit or non-compliant products or you require more information, please contact the TTBS Implementation Division at: Tel: (868) 662-6216, Ext 249 or Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Beware of counterfeit Lights During this holiday season, the TTBS would like to share some vital information with consumers in helping to identify GENUINE Christmas Lights as designated by TTS/UL 588: 2008:- 1. Manufacturer name / Trademark / Brand name. 2. Country of Origin. 3. Address of manufacturer / distributor (as designated by TTS 76: Part 2: 1994 – Labelling of prepackaged goods). 4. Catalog or model number. 5. Rated input Voltage (115 volts ± 6%). 6. Rated input Current (“A” or “Amps”). 7. Rated Frequency (Hz or Hertz). 8. Manufacture Date or Date code. 9. Product certification mark (or relevant documentation). MUST be recognized by TTBS. 10. “For indoor use only” (for indoor use products only) OR “For indoor and outdoor use” (for indoor and outdoor use products) 11. Caution markings. For example: • for products with load fittings (ones that can be interconnected): “CAUTION. Do not overload. Connect end-to-end a maximum of six (6) lighting strings or decorative outfits of the same type.” • for products with push-in or mini screw lamps: “CAUTION – To reduce the risk of overheating, replace burned-out lamps promptly. Use ___ volt, ___ watt lamps only”. 12. Instruction manual - Products must be provided with legible instructions pertaining to: The risk of fire, electric shock or injury to persons that may be associated with use; operation of product and user maintenance and storage How to Identify Counterfeit Christmas Lights • Any product that references UL (one type of Certification Mark) on the carton or on the product itself, but has no company name, trademark, trade name or other designation authorised by UL. • Cheap, low-quality workmanship and/or packaging marks with the letters UL side-by-side instead of staggered, the lack of a control or issue number, or the words “Approved” or “Pending” instead of “LISTED” or “CLASSIFIED.” • Legitimate products will generally include product manuals that provide applicable safety warnings and instructions for use, care and maintenance of the product. The lack of appropriate documentation may be a warning sign. Christmas Now's the time for stringing the lights and decorating the Christmas tree, but if proper electrical safety requirements are not met, it can cause serious fire hazards which can ultimately destroy life and property. In 2012 the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) prohibited entry of over 63,000 counterfeit Christmas lights into the country estimated at over $700,000. This is a violation of the requirements of the Compulsory Standard: TTS/UL 588:2008 - Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products”. Counterfeit electrical products, such as Christmas lights, typically use insufficient wire gauges and insulation in their construction and usually have a counterfeit product certification mark. A product certification mark is a mark or logo which is placed on a product to give consumers the assurance that the product fulfils a set of minimum requirements defined in a “standard.” Underwriters Laboratory LLC, (UL), is one of the most common Product Certification Marks (over 22 billion marks worldwide in 2013). The “UL” mark is also the most common mark used on Christmas lights and by virtue of its reach, is one of the most commonly counterfeited Certification Marks in the world. The TTBS has been working closely with several international Product Certification Bodies including “UL” in the verification of Certification Marks.
Transcript of Beware of counterfeit Christmas Lights -...
If you suspect counterfeit or non-compliant products or you require more information, please contact the TTBS Implementation Division at: Tel: (868) 662-6216, Ext 249 or Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Beware ofcounterfeit
LightsDuring this holiday season, the TTBS would like to share some vital information with consumers in helping to identify GENUINE Christmas Lights as designated by TTS/UL 588: 2008:- 1. Manufacturer name / Trademark / Brand name.2. Country of Origin. 3. Address of manufacturer / distributor (as designated by TTS 76: Part 2: 1994 – Labelling of prepackaged goods).4. Catalog or model number.5. Rated input Voltage (115 volts ± 6%).6. Rated input Current (“A” or “Amps”).7. Rated Frequency (Hz or Hertz).8. Manufacture Date or Date code. 9. Product certi�cation mark (or relevant documentation).
MUST be recognized by TTBS. 10. “For indoor use only” (for indoor use products only) OR “For
indoor and outdoor use” (for indoor and outdoor use products)
11. Caution markings. For example: • for products with load fittings (ones that can be
interconnected): “CAUTION. Do not overload. Connect end-to-end a maximum of six (6) lighting strings or decorative outfits of the same type.”
• for products with push-in or mini screw lamps: “CAUTION – To reduce the risk of overheating, replace burned-out lamps promptly. Use ___ volt, ___ watt lamps only”.
12. Instruction manual - Products must be provided with legible instructions pertaining to: The risk of �re, electric shock or injury to persons that may be associated with use; operation of product and user maintenance and storage
How to Identify Counterfeit Christmas Lights
• Any product that references UL (one type of Certification Mark) on the carton or on the product itself, but has no company name, trademark, trade name or other designation authorised by UL.
• Cheap, low-quality workmanship and/or packaging marks with the letters UL side-by-side instead of staggered, the lack of a control or issue number, or the words “Approved” or “Pending” instead of “LISTED” or “CLASSIFIED.”
• Legitimate products will generally include product manuals that provide applicable safety warnings and instructions for use, care and maintenance of the product. The lack of appropriate documentation may be a warning sign.
Christmas
Now's the time for stringing the lights and decorating the Christmas tree, but if proper electrical safety requirements are not met, it can cause serious fire hazards which can ultimately destroy life and property.
In 2012 the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) prohibited entry of over 63,000 counterfeit Christmas lights into the country estimated at over $700,000. This is a violation of the requirements of the Compulsory Standard: TTS/UL 588:2008 - Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products”.
Counterfeit electrical products, such as Christmas lights, typically use insu�cient wire gauges and insulation in their construction and usually
have a counterfeit product certi�cation mark. A product certi�cation mark is a mark or logo which is placed on a product to give consumers the assurance that the product ful�ls a set of minimum requirements de�ned in a “standard.”
Underwriters Laboratory LLC, (UL), is one of the most common Product Certi�cation Marks (over 22 billion marks worldwide in 2013). The “UL” mark is also the most common mark used on Christmas lights and by virtue of its reach, is one of the most commonly counterfeited Certi�cation Marks in the world. The TTBS has been working closely with several international Product Certi�cation Bodies including “UL” in the veri�cation of Certi�cation Marks.
