• time;2024-10-29 13:02:17

Electric tools and garden machinery are widely used equipment worldwide. In recent years, due to the increasing emphasis on product safety, energy efficiency, and green development, there have been some changes in the relevant regulatory requirements for electric tools and garden machinery in various countries. This article will briefly introduce the regulatory requirements for these two types of products in some global markets.

EU: Release of restriction document on current motor driven handheld tool coordination standards

In May 2022, Germany filed a formal objection to two coordinated standards of the European Union, namely EN 62841-1:2015 (revised by EN 62841-1:2015/AC:2015) and EN 62841-2-11:2016 (revised by EN 62841-2-11:2016/A1:2020). The reason for the objection is that the content of these two coordinated standards cannot meet the basic health and safety requirements set forth in Articles 1.2.3, 2.2.1, and Annex 1 of the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) of the European Union. The German side specifically pointed out that the two standards applicable to wire saw products (jigsaw) in the current coordinated standards, namely the revised EN 62841-1:2015 and the revised EN 62841-2-11:2016, do not provide sufficient protection against accidental starting after voltage loss as required by the Machinery Directive.

The European Commission has expressed its agreement with the principles proposed in this objection. However, considering that these two coordinated standards have already been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, it is necessary to supplement references and make appropriate restrictions on current regulations. The specific restrictions were published as an Implementing Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union in April 2024, numbered (EU) 2024/1256.

Click on 'Read Original' to learn the full content of the European Commission's (EU) Implementing Decision 2024/1256, published on April 26, 2024

Hungary: Garden machinery and electric tools must be covered by warranty

A decree issued by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice imposes mandatory repair requirements on multiple types of consumer goods, including garden machinery and electric tools. The specific requirements are:

Electric motor-driven garden machinery (such as hoes, lawn drills, lawn mowers, push lawn mowers, and garden tractors) and motorized manual tools (especially chainsaws, drills, impact drills, angle grinders, circular saws, and planers) are all within the mandatory warranty scope required by this regulation.

If the sales price of the new product is between 10000 and 250000 Hungarian forints, the mandatory warranty period is two years. If the selling price of the product exceeds 250000 Hungarian forints, the warranty period needs to be increased to three years.

Warranty services must be provided by the seller, including sellers sold on online platforms.

If the consumer product still malfunctions after three repairs during the warranty period, unless otherwise requested by the consumer, the enterprise providing the product has the obligation to replace the product for the consumer within eight days.

britain:

Confirm that the CE mark can continue to be recognized

The relevant regulations for the continued recognition of CE Mark and EU product declarations in the UK, namely the "2024 Product Safety and Metrology (Revised) Regulations" (hereinafter referred to as the "2024 Product Safety Regulations"), will ensure that certification and declarations that comply with EU regulatory requirements will continue to be accepted in the UK, as long as such documents or markings are expressed in English, list the corresponding regulations that are met, and explain how the product is compliant.

According to the 2024 Product Safety Regulations, in terms of restricting hazardous substances (RoHS management), as long as the corresponding products have applicable exemption requirements under the UK legal system, the exempted products allowed under the EU legislative system will also be recognized as being able to be supplied to the UK.

For the preliminary report on the UK Product Safety and Metrology (Revised) Regulations 2024, please visit:

UK Compliance Information: Revision of Product Safety Regulations

Flexible marking of electric tools

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in the UK has fulfilled its commitment to provide digital labels to manufacturers who choose UKCA's compliance pathway under the 2024 Product Safety Regulations.

According to the "trade liberalization" measures, from January 31, 2025, stakeholders can provide certain markings and information requirements in digital form, replacing physical labels for most manufactured products. The following identification and information are allowed to be accessed through digital links: qualified marks in the UK, detailed information of manufacturers and importers, detailed information of responsible persons, etc.

Canada - By January 29, 2025, all types of businesses must submit PFAS reports

Canada requires that by January 29, 2025, all parties manufacturing, importing, or using perfluorinated and perfluorinated substances (PFAS) themselves, mixtures, and articles within the 2023 calendar year must provide relevant information to the Canadian Environment Department through the online reporting system provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Single Window.

Before this requirement applies to enterprises, all parties must first meet the minimum standards. The extremely broad scope of application of this requirement will have an impact on a large number of businesses operating in Canada, including those that use PFAS to produce electronic products. However, parties that meet the scope of application should pay attention to and prioritize this obligation. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements, such as providing false or misleading information, will result in fines in Canada. After the first violation, if the individual is convicted according to the summary procedure, the maximum fine can reach $25000, while if the large company is convicted after prosecution, the maximum fine can reach $500000.

Türkiye: Machinery safety will be regulated according to EU regulation 2023/1230/EU

The Ministry of Industry and Technology of Türkiye is taking measures to ensure that its domestic machinery safety requirements are consistent with those of the EU, so as to allow these products to flow freely within the Türkiye EU customs union.

On August 12, 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) released a draft machinery safety regulation based on EU Regulation 2023/1230, which should be applied simultaneously with the corresponding EU rules from January 20, 2027.

According to the current requirements in Türkiye, mechanical products shipped to Türkiye must show the contact information of the manufacturer in Turkish. If this is not possible, this information can be provided on the product packaging or in the documents accompanying the machinery or related products, but must be in Turkish. The instructions for use and safety information shall also be in Turkish and shall be clear, understandable and readable in accordance with the general requirements.

At present, the manufacturer has made a declaration of conformity according to the requirements of the European Union and said that the responsibility for mechanical compliance applies to the Türkiye market. However, the Turkish translation of relevant documents must be attached to the EU declaration of conformity of the machinery to be recognized in Türkiye.

South Africa: Developing WEEE regulations

South Africa has recently introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, which cover the recycling and disposal obligations of different producers on various waste chains that are considered "problematic". The South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment is currently seeking to establish a specialized legal framework for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of scrapped electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

South Africa has also released a draft policy document in 2024, which includes measures to be taken by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to achieve harmless management of electronic and electrical equipment scrap, including but not limited to:

For all partners in the WEEE value chain, follow Norms and Standards (N&S) definitions and propose "Minimum Technical and Operational Requirements"; These WEEE N&S will include minimum administrative, operational, and technical requirements as future legal requirements.

Eliminate or mitigate any negative impacts on the environment and human health by encouraging the use of best practice cable environmental options (BPEOs) that comply with global feasible environmental practices.

Article source: Reprinted from Baisi Tao