Written question asked by Chris Williamson (Labour) on Thursday, 15 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 October 2011. It was answered by Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 October 2011 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Lighters: Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of pocket lighters on sale that do not meet minimum safety standards; whether his Department has assessed the fire risks presented by such lighters; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that trading standards officers remove such products from the market.

Answer: The market surveillance of lighters is the responsibility of Local Authority Trading Standards Services in Great Britain and District Councils in Northern Ireland. BIS officials do not formally assess the effectiveness of this market surveillance, however, we are aware that a number of authorities have been taking action in response to concerns from the industry.This Department has not made an estimate on the number of pocket lighters on the UK market that do not meet minimum safety standards. However, a press release by the European Federation of Lighter Manufacturers on 22 September estimates that of the 100 million lighters on the UK market up to 79% may be non-compliant.The collection of fire statistics is a responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government. UK fire statistics show that seven people died in 2009/10 in fires caused by cigarette lighters. However, the fire statistics do not identify whether the lighters were unsafe.Each May since 2006 we have issued a Direction to the local authorities to implement Commission Decision 2006/502/EC to ensure that only lighters that are child resistant are placed on the market. I will continue to issue Directions until the work on the revised European standard on child resistant lighters has reached the point where it can support consistent enforcement across the EU.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 72731; 533 c275W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Lighters: Safety
Monday, 27 February 2012
Written questions
House of Commons; Lighters: Safety
Monday, 27 February 2012
Written questions
House of Commons; Lighters: Safety
Monday, 27 February 2012
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Safety Lighters
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk