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Ares(2014)2068614 - 24/06/2014

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
HEALTH AND CONSUMERS DIRECTORATE-GENERAL

Consumer Affairs
Product and Service safety

DRAFT SUMMARY RECORD OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF

DIRECTIVE 2001/95/EC ON GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY
BRUSSELS 19 MAY 2014

Introduction

The meeting was chaired by the Head of Unit of DG SANCO B3, 'Product and Service
Safety'.

1. Welcome and adoption of the agenda

The draft agenda was adopted. A copy of the adopted agenda is attached (Annex 1).
An attendance list is attached (Annex 2).

2. Adoption of the summary record of the GPSD meeting of 04.10.2013

The draft summary record of the meeting of 04.10.2013 was adopted. The adopted
summary record is attached (Annex 3).

3. Discussion and vote on the draft Commission Decision on the safety

requirements to be met by European standards for alcohol-powered flueless
fireplaces

A representative from Norwegian industry presented a new appliance that uses an

alcohol fuel with a flashpoint higher than 100 degrees. He argued that since the draft
safety requirements focus on the dangers associated with filling and igniting alcohol-
powered flueless fireplaces, this new product should be eliminated from the scope as
these dangers cannot present themselves, unlike ethanol, for example, which ignites
at a much lower temperature.

The Chair urged Member States to consider whether the safety requirements contain
elements which would still need to be applied for such products.

Member States sought assurances that other fuels could not be used in such an
appliance especially if other fuels were cheaper, consumers might be tempted to use
them. The industry representative replied that this new alcohol requires 105 degrees
to be ignited. It only works in conjunction with a special wick that can raise the
temperature sufficiently, therefore there is no point in putting this new alcohol in a
traditional ethanol appliance as it would not work. However, it is impossible to
prevent consumers from using ethanol for anything else. Member States commented
that this would require the appliance to have very specific marking in that case. The
industry representative said that the appliance was not yet on the market but that both
the appliance and the fuel bottles would be clearly labelled.

Commission europenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGI - Tel. +32 22991111

Office: B232 6/101 - Tel. direct line +32 229-98687
 Member States on the whole expressed reservations with regard to amending the draft
safety requirements to exclude such appliances from the scope and requested time to
consult their experts on this matter. Several agreed that a new mandate would
possibly be necessary for such a new product, but it was also mentioned that there
could be issues in this regard if the product was patented. Others welcomed the safety
features but continued to be concerned about consumers using the wrong fuel in the
new appliance.

The Chair reminded Member States that as market surveillance authorities they could
ask manufacturers to present their safety assessment of such novelty products.

Since some Member States proposed both substantive and editorial changes to the
text of the safety requirements, and since some Member States were absent, and in
view of the considerations to take into account regarding the new appliance and fuel
presented during the meeting, it was decided to postpone the vote to allow Member
States to consult their experts once more.

4. Discussion and vote on the draft Commission Implementing Decisions on the

compliance of certain European standards with the general safety requirement
(stationary training & gymnastic equipment) and the publication of their
references in the OJEU

The vote took place and the opinion of the Committee was favourable.

5. Discussion and vote on the draft Commission Implementing Decisions on the

compliance of certain European standards with the general safety requirement
(floating leisure articles) and the publication of their references in the OJEU

The vote took place and the opinion of the Committee was favourable.

6. Discussion and vote on the draft Commission Implementing Decisions on the

compliance of certain European standards with the general safety requirement
(child resistant locking devices for windows and balcony doors) and the
publication of their references in the OJEU

The vote took place and the opinion of the Committee was favourable.

7. Discussion on upcoming draft Commission Implementing Decisions on the

compliance of certain European standards with the general safety requirement
(internal blinds, soothers for babies and young children)

Member States welcomed the standards on internal blinds.

One Member State expressed some concerns about the soother standard in writing to
which CEN replied in writing (correspondence shared with other Member States). No
discussion took place as the representative of the Member State concerned was not
present.

8. AOB

International Product Safety Week

2
 Member States were briefed on the upcoming high-level trilateral summit on
product safety due to take place during the IPSW on 19 June 2014
Re-use of RAPEX web publications
Member States were informed about developments relating to the license
agreement for RAPEX data.

The meeting was closed at 17.30.

Annex 1: draft agenda

Annex 2: attendance list

Annex 3: adopted summary record of meeting of 4 October 2013