Electrical appliance importer fined for breaching safety rules

Published: 13.10.2009

Feng Bao International Trading Limited, an electrical appliance importer and wholesaler, pleaded guilty and was convicted in the Manukau District Court yesterday for breaching the Electricity Regulations and fined $1,050 and $130 costs.

Despite warnings from Energy Safety the company continued to supply electrical products without first establishing their safety.

The products Feng Bao International Trading supplied included low cost touch table lamps, multi-plug adaptors and banned Christmas lights, all considered to be high risk. These were never intended to be used in New Zealand and were all fitted with non-approved plugs. The appliances presented a safety risk to anyone who used them.

Energy Safety wants to get the message across to importers that they need to ensure the electrical safety of products before they supply them. The rules are in place to protect consumers and encourage good business practices.

The successful prosecution was taken by Energy Safety, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Development. The company had breached Electricity Regulations 107(a), 107(aa) and 107(b).

Energy Safety is committed to ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas. It undertakes an ongoing programme of investigations and audits of electrical and gas appliances.