simscool

Fewer toxic toys and textiles in EU stores

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:06:47 -1330

Fewer toxic toys and textiles in EU stores
BRUSSELS, May 8, 2012 (AFP) - Europe last year saw its first drop in the number of toxic toys and skin-irritating textiles stacked on its supermarket shelves, more than half of them made in China, the EU said Tuesday.

Thanks to better policing and improved cooperation with China and others, the number of unsafe products banned, withdrawn, or recalled from consumers, dropped 20 percent in 2011 to 1,803 items compared with a 13 percent increase the previous year.

"The fact that fewer dangerous items enter the EU market is good news for consumers, but we must remain committed," said Health Commissioner John Dalli on presenting the European Union's latest report on efforts to enforce product safety.

Removing life-threatening goods from the EU is achieved under a 2004 rapid alert system known as RAPEX, enabling information on dangerous products to circulate swiftly across the 27-nation bloc, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

How lemon law will affect buying and selling of pets: Forum

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:05:23 -1330

How lemon law will affect buying and selling of pets: Forum
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Source
Straits Times
Date
21 Apr 2012

EXISTING laws already give consumers remedies if a pet does not conform to the sale contract at delivery ('Lemon law for pets a bad idea' by Mr Jiang Ke-Yue; March 22).

The new lemon law does not change these existing laws. It simply provides additional remedies for such non-conformity, but the consumer cannot insist on a disproportionately costly remedy. Instead of a full refund or a replacement, the retailer and consumer could mutually agree to compensation for the cost of medical treatment for the pet.

âLemon Lawâ passed, will take effect in September

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:03:03 -1330

âLemon Lawâ passed, will take effect in September
Yahoo! NewsroomBy Kai Fong | Yahoo! Newsroom â Fri, Mar 9, 2012

The newly proposed "Lemon Law", which protects consumers against defective goods, was passed in Parliament on Friday and will take effect this September.

Under the bill, consumers can report a defective item within six months of purchase.

Singapore's 'Lemon Law' passed in Parliament

Wed, 02 May 2012 03:57:55 -1330

Friday, Mar 09, 2012
AsiaOne
Singapore's 'Lemon Law' was passed in Parliament today.

It is expected to come into force from September 1 this year, to allow sufficient transition time for the industry.

Lemon laws refer to laws protecting consumers against defective goods that fail to conform to contract, or meet satisfactory quality or performance standards at the time of purchase, colloquially known as "lemons".

More help for buyers of 'lemons'

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:27:03 -1330

By Gwendolyn Ng
my paper
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012
Consumers can expect to enjoy more protection when saddled with defective products, known colloquially as "lemons", under proposed amendments tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act and the Hire Purchase Act are aimed at better protecting consumers from unfair practices, while ensuring that an undue burden is not imposed on businesses.

"Lemon law" targeted to take effect from September

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:13:01 -1330

"Lemon law" targeted to take effect from September

By Sharon See | Posted: 14 February 2012 1624 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has proposed changes to laws aimed at protecting consumers against unfair business practices.

The proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act and Hire Purchase Act, introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, will pave the way for the so-called "lemon law".

"Lemon laws" refer to consumer protection laws that provide remedies for consumers against latent defects in goods, colloquially known as "lemons", which fail to meet standards of quality and performance, especially after repeated repair.

For example, if a defect is found in a product within six months of delivery, it is assumed the defect existed at the time of delivery. It is then up to the retailer to prove otherwise.

In such cases, consumers can ask the retailer to repair or replace the defective product.

If the cost of repair outweighs the replacement, the retailer can choose to replace the product, and vice versa.

Checks on weighing scales stepped up

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:55:49 -1330

10 Jan 2012
The Straits Times (Singapore)
Checks on weighing scales stepped up
...are ramping up checks on weighing scales in shops to ensure consumers get what they pay for.

Officers from Spring Singapore, the government agency that regulates weights and measures, have stepped up their checks from a weekly basis to almost...

WITH Chinese New Year shopping in full swing, the authorities are ramping up checks on weighing scales in shops to ensure consumers get what they pay for.

Officers from Spring Singapore, the government agency that regulates weights and measures, have stepped up their checks from a weekly basis to almost daily since last week. They ensure weighing equipment is accurate, tamper-proof seals are unbroken and accuracy labels are affixed to the scales.

Some 100 weighing instruments, inspected since last week, complied with the requirements.

Playing it safe

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -1330

22 May 2011
The Straits Times (Singapore)
Playing it safe
When writer and stay-at-home mum Josephine James shops for toys for her daughters, Faith, seven, and Sasha, two, safety ranks high on her list of priorities.

The 34-year-old looks out for potential hazards like small, detachable parts and whether the paint comes off easily.

She also checks parenting or toy-related websites and blogs like Non-ToxicKids.net to look for the most recent information on what manufacturers and other parents are saying about a particular product.

When it comes to dollar store toys, which are likely to be cheaply manufactured and may not carry safety labels, Ms James says that common sense prevails.

FREE! CASE Seminar: âToy Safety & Youâ

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:50:00 -1330

FREE! CASE Seminar: âToy Safety & Youâ

An educational seminar on the various aspects of toy safety. Especially apt for all parents, this seminar covers a range of topics including international stories and case studies on toy safety, a medical perspective to toy safety and how to minimise the effects of harmful substances found in toys on the human body. Also find out about the Consumer Goods Safety Requirements Regulations 2011 and how you are better protected with this new legislation.

Large fluorescent tube broken. How do I ensure I don't die of mercury poisoning?

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:03:20 -1330

I read on here recently of a woman who broke a compact fluorescent tube in her bedroom. Well tonight I ended up breaking one of the large fluorescent tubes in my kitchen. This light hadn't been working (it had burned out) and I was trying to replace it.

It shattered everywhere: in my sink, in my cats bowls, some went on the carpet. Most ended up on the hard kitchen floor. I freaked out and didn't follow proper procedures (vent area, use gloves, etc). I just started cleaning it up with a hand-held broom. Also, when attempting to leave the area, I stepped on some of the glass (it was unavoidable) and small shards went into my foot.