Site Search and Help

IMPORT CONTROLS ON RUBBER HOT WATER BOTTLES

Over recent months the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has received a number of complaints of rubber hot water bottles bursting. The bursting of rubber hot water bottles may result in severe burns. The problems identified with the rubber hot water bottles included splitting at the neck, splitting of side seams or leaking stoppers.

Unsafe Goods Notice
 
In response to these complaints the Minister of Consumer Affairs has issued the Unsafe Goods (Rubber Hot Water Bottles) Notice 2004 under Section 31 of the Fair Trading Act 1986. The Notice requires that rubber hot water bottles must:
  • Comply with British Standard BS 1970:2001 Hot water bottles manufactured from rubber and PVC Specification; and
  • Show compliance of less than 12 months old, with the Standard, from an accredited laboratory to ISO 17025.
This Unsafe Goods Notice is enforced at the border by Customs and within New Zealand by the Commerce Commission.

Import Controls
 
From 26 November 2004 importers will be required to produce to Customs the following:
  • Test certificate, from an accredited laboratory to ISO 17025, certifying that the rubber hot water bottles comply with British Standard BS 1970:2001 Hot water bottles manufactured from rubber and PVC Specification. The certificate must be less than 12 months old; and
  • A statutory declaration stating that the documents produced relate to the rubber hot water bottles being imported. A sample copy of the declaration is attached.
 
 
Section 33 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 deems that goods which do not comply with an Unsafe Goods Notice are prohibited imports under section 54 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996. This means that rubber hot water bottles which are not covered by a test certificate are prohibited imports and may be seized under the Customs and Excise Act 1996.
 
Exemption
 
The import controls do not apply to up to four rubber hot water bottles imported as a person's baggage or personal effects.

Queries on the Notice
 
Any queries on the Notice may be made to either:

click here for more news articles