Friday, July 10, 2015

CPSC Passes Rule for Seasonal & Decorative Lights

©iStockphoto.com/dsischo
U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a rule that allows the agency to remove hazardous seasonal and decorative lights from the market more effectively. According to CPSC, these lighting products have caused hundreds of fire- and shock-related deaths and injuries. Over the years, a voluntary standard was implemented, and since 1974, the agency has announced 47 voluntary recalls of season and decorative lighting products, totaling 3.6 million units.


Under the new rule, if these products lack any of the three characteristics as found in UL 588 voluntary standard—minimum wire size, sufficient strain relief or overcurrent protection—CPSC will consider the products to present a substantial product hazard to consumers. The rule includes elements of the voluntary standard and streamlines CPSC’s efforts to stop the distribution and sale of nonconforming products.