X-mas Lights business breaches Electricity Regs

Media Release
26 March 2009

Christmas decoration business breaches Electricity Regulations

A specialist Christmas decoration business was convicted in the Manukau District Court on 24 March 2009, for breaching the Electricity Regulations. It had been selling Christmas lights without first making sure they complied with the regulations.

The business, which had opened a shop in the Botany Town Centre before Christmas last year, pleaded guilty to supplying the lights without gaining the necessary approval.

Under the Electricity Regulations, suppliers must ensure that these types of lights are approved before supply. A recognised approval shows that an appliance meets New Zealand’s electrical safety requirements, and that is has been adequately tested for electrical safety.

“Supplying electrical goods without first making sure they are safe, not only puts the people using them at risk, but also the supplier’s business,” said Richard Lamb, Energy Safety, Compliance Officer,.

Energy Safety takes breaches of the Electricity Regulations very seriously. This seller disregarded these regulations and as a result was prosecuted.

”It is very important that suppliers of electrical appliances recognise they have a responsibility to ensure that they have taken the necessary steps to establish safety, before they place these products onto the market.

“The rules are there to encourage suppliers to take responsibility for the electrical safety of the products they supply.”

Decorative lights are considered high risk because of the way they are used, such as being draped over Christmas trees, furnishing and around people’s homes,” said Richard Lamb.

The successful prosecution was taken by Energy Safety, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Development. Toplink Global Limited, trading as Evergreen Christmas, was fined $600 and ordered to pay $130 in costs for breaching Electricity Regulation 107(a).

ENDS

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