Chinese lamps

·         On May 2, 2008 Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) suggested that Chinese lamps were not only of inferior quality but posed health hazards too.

·         The lamps are commonly used during festivals and weddings.

·         The study was based on 41 samples of six varieties lamps common in the market and assessed them on their energy consumption, safety and general working.

·         Five were of Chinese origin and one locally assembled.

·         All the two-pin plug Chinese lamps were uneven in length, causing loose contact and heating of the plug which can lead to fire.

·         These loosely fitted plugs pose danger to kids if touched accidentally, CERS observed.

·         The Bureau of Indian Standards had not laid down any regulatory standards to test the quality of these commonly used lamps.

·         It was found that the Chinese series do not always bear the name and place of their manufacturers.

·         In some cases, the number of lamps was less than mentioned on the cartons, a violation of the Packaged Commodities Rules framed under the Standards of Weights & Measures Act

·         Chinese LED lamps were found to consume the least energy, one respect in which the Indian lamps turned out to be the worst.