Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe wireless laser pen with false trade description
Hong Kong Customs today (December 8) alerted members of the public to the potential risk of injury posed by a model of wireless laser pen and advised them to stop using the product for safety's sake.
Customs officers recently conducted spot checks and test-purchased several models of wireless laser pens for safety testing. Testing results revealed that one of the models had a temperature measurement result of 78.4 degrees Celsius on its reachable shell, which was 35 per cent higher than the allowable limit (i.e. 58°C) in the case of a short circuit in the battery. The product concerned thus failed to comply with relevant international product safety standards and was suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).
In addition, the wireless laser pen had a "3R laser pen product category" affixed. However, the testing results revealed that the product concerned belonged to a stronger laser output power level category, namely 3B. In this regard, the relevant retailer and importer was suspected of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs officers subsequently conducted operations and searched the retailer and importer involved in the case. A total of three wireless laser pens of the model concerned were seized. Prohibition notices were also served on the retailer and importer, prohibiting the continued sale of the unsafe wireless laser pen.
Customs officers have conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and have not found any sales of the wireless laser pen concerned so far. An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using wireless laser pens:
- Purchase wireless laser pens manufactured by well-reputed brands and equipped with short circuit protection devices, including protection devices against overcharging, overcurrent and battery temperature protection;
- Charge wireless laser pens in an environment with good ventilation so as not to obstruct heat dissipation from the batteries and to minimise the risk of a short circuit. Devices being charged should not be placed near inflammable articles such as clothes;
- Avoid prolonged charging and unplug the wireless laser penafter it is fully charged; and
- The beam emitted by laser pens may damage the eyes and skin, and under no circumstances should the light spot emitted by the laser pen be pointed at the eyes.
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year for a first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years for subsequent convictions.
Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or who is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits a criminal offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the abovementioned ordinances to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe wireless laser pen with false trade description Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe wireless laser pen with false trade description Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
