A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (December 23) urged members of the public to stop using a glass-top table that was found to be unsafe.
The spokesman made the appeal after the Department, having consulted the Government Laboratory, concluded that the tested sample of the table (Model No.: CP-2119C) obtained from a supplier in Kwun Tong had failed to comply with the horizontal static load and vertical load of BS EN 1730:2000 (British Standard "Domestic furniture-Tables-Test methods for determination of strength, durability and stability).
Test results showed that it would lead to table legs deformation and loosening of joints, if horizontal force equivalent to a load of about 45kg was applied.
Besides, the table would overturn at a vertical force equivalent to a load of about 20kg, posing high risk to users.
According to the British standard, the horizontal and vertical static load must be at least 45 kg and 30kg respectively.
Customs officers served a Prohibition Notice on the supplier early this week restricting it from selling the unsafe table.
"Investigation still continues. Depending on the investigation result, the concerned supplier will be charged for breaching the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO)," the spokesman said.
The spokesman urged members of the public to stop using the unsafe table. They are advised to contact the company at 2602 8882 during office hours for enquiry on refund or exchange for other goods.
Under the CGSO, manufacturers, importers and suppliers are required to ensure that consumer goods they manufacture, import and supply are reasonably safe. The CGSO has already imposed a general safety requirement (GSR) on all consumer goods including glass-top table.
It is an offence for any person to manufacture, supply or import into Hong Kong unsafe consumer goods, which fail to comply with the GSR or any prescribed safety standards.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and an imprisonment for a year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent conviction.
For complaint about unsafe consumer goods, consumers can write to the Consumer Protection and Prosecution Bureau of the Customs and Excise Department at 11th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, or call the Customs 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 to report.
Ends/Thursday, December 23, 2004