Consumer Rights
Legal validation: 31/03/2011
Safety of products and services
This section covers the rules concerning the safety of products and services.
Safety of domestic appliances burning gaseous fuel.
The Gaseous Appliances Regulations (L.N. 28 of 2004) were issued on 23rd January 2004 and are in line with Directive 2009/142/EC. These regulations oblige the importers and users of domestic appliances falling within the scope of these regulations, and which are intended to be used in indoor spaces, to be fitted with a special device which avoids a dangerous accumulation of unburned gas.
Appliances which are not fitted with such devices must be used only in areas where there is sufficient ventilation to avoid a dangerous accumulation of unburned gas.
The Gaseous Appliances Regulations apply to domestic appliances burning gaseous fuels used for cooking, heating, hot water production, refrigeration, lighting or washing and having, where applicable, a normal water temperature not exceeding 105°C.
These Regulations also apply to safety devices, controlling devices or regulating devices and sub-assemblies which are designed to be incorporated into an appliance burning gaseous fuel or assembled to constitute such an appliance.
Typical examples of products falling within the scope of these Regulations are: heaters, ovens, cookers, barbecues and water heaters.
All appliances burning gaseous fuels must:
- be CE-marked,
- be accompanied by technical instructions intended for the installer, instructions for use and servicing intended for the user, and
- bear appropriate warning notices which must also appear on the packaging.
The instructions and warning notices must be in Maltese or English.
Additionally, the instructions for use and servicing intended for the user must contain all the information required for safe use, and must in particular draw the user’s attention to any restrictions on use. Likewise, the warning notices on the appliances and its packaging must clearly state among other things any restriction on use, in particular the restriction whereby the appliance must be installed only in areas where there is sufficient ventilation.
If the special device is not installed in these appliances, the latter should contain a warning and the instructions should illustrate how the user shall operate the appliance so as to ensure its safe use. It is therefore important for end-users to always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions accompanying the product.
Having a problem with Dolceta.eu? Let us know