Esti: Increase in defects in electrical products
One in five of the electrical products inspected in 2019 showed defects. 131 sales bans had to be issued, according to the Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current. In addition, 21 recalls and safety information of electrical equipment were published.
A total of 296 products had formal or technical defects, which corresponds to 19% of all inspected electrical products, the Inspectorate of Heavy Current writes. This includes 188 products with safety defects, which can lead to potential hazards such as electric shock, scalding, smoke formation and fire.
Sales bans also for Atex products
In the event of a possible risk to persons or the absence of proof of conformity, the Esti may prohibit the making available of a product on the market. In 2019, they had issued 131 sales bans for these reasons. Particularly affected were chargers, kettles, numerous devices with unauthorized foreign plugs, travel adapters, charging cables for electromobility and rechargeable batteries for various types of equipment. In addition, various products for professional use in potentially explosive atmospheres (Atex) of the industry were banned, the Esti further writes.
The sale of electrical appliances with an unauthorized foreign plug (such as a Schuko plug) is generally prohibited in Switzerland, as live parts can be touched when attempting to plug them into the socket or by unauthorized manipulation of the plug connection. Furthermore, such devices could be overloaded during operation and, in the worst case, cause a fire, the Esti said. Consumers should generally reject such devices and they can also be reported to the Heavy Current Inspectorate under www.esti.admin.ch make a report using the contact form, as the organization points out.
Caution when shopping online
Furthermore, great caution is advised with online purchases of conspicuously low-priced electrical devices directly from the Far East. These devices are often imitation products that can become unsafe over a longer period of operation due to electrically inferior components and incorrect construction. This is hardly recognizable for consumers.
In 34 cases, economic operators in Switzerland have withdrawn defective products from the market in cooperation with Esti, according to the media release. In 21 cases, the recall or safety information was additionally published on the website of the Consumer Affairs Bureau BFK at www.konsum.admin.ch published. This concerned coffee machines and other household appliances, oil radiators, ceiling lights, batteries for notebooks and marine engines, chargers, USB power adapters, and various products for commercial use.
What is important when buying?
Consumers should look for a correct Swiss plug, accessible and competent customer service, understandable operating instructions and test marks affixed to the appliance when buying electrical equipment. One recognized Swiss test mark is the voluntary Esti safety mark, he said. Devices with the safety mark are available under www.esti.admin.ch published. Devices with recognized test marks would demonstrate higher standards of product safety and thus offer consumers added value, according to the Office of the Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations.
Source: Esti
Market monitoring
Market surveillance by the Swiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (Esti) is carried out throughout Switzerland and is performed in accordance with the Ordinance on Low-Voltage Electrical Products (NEV; SR 734.26). Electrical products for household, office, trade and industry are inspected on a random basis for conformity and safety.
According to Esti, 1538 products were recorded for inspection on the Internet and with checks at wholesalers, specialist markets, manufacturers and trade fairs. Checks were also carried out on the basis of reports received from consumers and professionals in the electrical sector.
