Month: October 2013

(Prague, October 22, 2013) Warning by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority against products of unknown origin and without any marking has been well-founded as proven by recent inspections in shops with toys. In Western Bohemia, inspectors collected a doll’s buggy and found a number of shortcomings posing several risks of injury to children. “Within game and usual manipulation with the buggy, a child can easily get scratched by sharp tips of tubes or damage fingers inside the tubes. We cannot exclude lacerations or other serious injuries if the ...

(Prague, October 18, 2013) Whistle Profi Sport Collection is among products whose sale was banned by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority. It was made in China and its distributor warned on its packaging that “toy is not suitable for children below 3 years of age; there is a danger of swallowing of small parts”. “Such warning would be all right if the whistle was not so very small. Technical standard stipulates that toys put into operation by mouth and intended to be put into mouth must not fit in testing tube for small parts. The requirement –...

(Monitoring of fuel quality in September 2013) (October 18, 2013) In September, continuous inspections of fuel quality continued on the whole territory of the Czech Republic. A total of 240 fuel samples were collected at selected filling stations – 8 inspected samples failed appropriate quality standards. “We detected negligence deviations in six samples. Significance of other two findings may point at intentional manipulation with the respective fuels or production defects,” said Vladimír Velčovský, the Director General of the CTIA. “Besides ...

(Prague, October 16, 2013) The Czech market is flooded with various toys. Czech Trade Inspection Authority inspects whether these products meet requirements for toys, as determined by technical regulations, especially regarding safety. Inspectors still find toys of anonymous origin, without appropriate CE mark as well as toys that are dangerous due to their characteristics or performance. “Wooden toy composed of rings creating an animal figure is intended for smallest children, but it is dangerous to them. Risk of choking or suffocation is high...

(Prague, October 15, 2013) To attract attention of small children with a new toy is the fastest way to ensure time for shopping or any other necessary activity. However, we need to bear in mind the health and safety of the child. “A small cuddly toy on chain with ring can attract children, but it can also hurt them because its small parts can easily be separated. Therefore I recommend checking at least marking of products and their solidity. If a toy is not marked in any way, don’t buy it. The risk of health damage is too high is such case,” Vl...

(Final report of project on packed and/or site assembled domestic wastewater treatment plants for up to 50 PT)(Prague, October 8, 2013) From April 2012 to June 2013, based on suggestion by the Ministry of Environment as well as submissions or inquiries by consumers an inspection action was carried at 47 manufacturers of domestic wastewater treatment plants. The Czech Trade Inspection Authority is the surveillance authority in terms of the respective products. Inspectors used manufacturers’ documentation provided by water authorities within buil...

(Prague, October 11, 2013) People buying Christmas parents for children should consider whether such products are suitable and safe for the respective age of the particular child. A wooden puzzle of China origin fails safety requirements. More than a half of its 48 cubes fit in testing tube for small parts, meaning that there is a risk that a child can swallow or inhale some of them. “Especially small children want to perceive toys with all senses – not only see and touch them, but also taste them which can have fatal consequences in this case....

(Partial report of second quarter of 2013)(Prague, October 3, 2013) The Czech Trade Inspection Authority monitors offer and sale of tobacco products throughout the year. In the second quarter, inspectors especially focused on sale of the respective assortment in stalls. One or more infringements were detected in one third of 1.007 inspected subjects. “Overall results clearly show that within stall sale of the assortment of tobacco products consumers are not provided with information not only about prices, but also about the products sold. Sale ...

(Prague, October 2, 2013) The Czech Trade Inspection Authority still finds that products that pose risk to consumers, especially children, are offered in the Czech market. These products mostly are of unknown origin. And in this particular case we speak about a hanging doll. “Small parts can be easily separated from the mentioned toy and can be swallowed or inhaled by a child who can block airways or hurt internal organs. Besides plastic shoes, such danger is posed by a plastic brooch on the doll’s body and a metal ring on which the doll can be...

(Brno, September 30, 2013) South-Moravian inspectors of the CTIA detected another case of e-shop providing deceitful information about both material compositions of products and purchase conditions. “We collected a sample of walking stick concerning which a consumer had a suspicion that it didn’t have the declared characteristics. Laboratory assessment confirmed the suspicion that the stick is not made of carbon because it is reinforced by glass fibres instead of carbon fibres. Administrative proceedings have been held with the operator of the ...