6kg ceiling light

[JohnW2]

Your light may be absolutely fine, or it may be dangerous to the extent that it could start a fire or electrocute someone. The problem is that there is no way you can tell ....

It's obviously impossible to be certain. However, there is really very little in the way of 'electrics' to a light fitting such as this, and the photo we have ben shown (of 'much of the electrics') appears to look fine, and shows essentially what one would expect to see in such a product manufactured by anyone, in any country.

Given what we have seen, are you thinking specifically of a design or manufacturing problem that would be at all likely to result in an appreciable risk of "fire or electrocution", or are you merely generalising on an "anything is possible" basis?

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

I doubt that there is a single person responsible for making, importing, or selling that light who is within the jurisdiction of the UK, and therefore is subject to any laws concerning safety etc.

Is it actually possible for bulk supplies of products to find their way from China into a warehouse in Exeter without someone within the jurisdiction of the UK being deemed to be, and taking responsibility as, the 'importer'?

Kind Regards, John

It is quite common for items to be advertised by a private individual in China, with the UK address being a another private individual, usually a relative. There seems to be a belief that only companies are subject to import and product safety legislation, and many people are unaware that they are committing a criminal offence by importing unsafe or incorrectly marked products.

 

[JohnW2]

It is quite common for items to be advertised by a private individual in China, with the UK address being a another private individual, usually a relative. There seems to be a belief that only companies are subject to import and product safety legislation, and many people are unaware that they are committing a criminal offence by importing unsafe or incorrectly marked products.

Exactly. That's why I thought that, in legal terms, there always had to be a UK-based 'importer', even if it were just a private individual.

Let's face it, the 'dodgy wallwarts' or whatever might be stuffed with heroin, and I'm sure that the PTB would want to be able to hold someone responsible for 'importing' it!

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

Yes, there is always someone deemed to be the importer, who has the legal duties. I read your "taking responsibility" as meaning they accepted that responsibility, but you probably didn't mean that.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, there is always someone deemed to be the importer, who has the legal duties. I read your "taking responsibility" as meaning they accepted that responsibility, but you probably didn't mean that.

As you say, I didn't mean that - I was referring to the person who was legally 'deemed to be responsible' for the import. This all started because I questioned BAS's statement:

I doubt that there is a single person responsible for making, importing, or selling that light who is within the jurisdiction of the UK, and therefore is subject to any laws concerning safety etc.

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

I have bought a new light for my lounge and it is a crystal type one and weighs 6kg. Is this too heavy to hang from the ceiling?

Another question to ask is;
Does my 1950s house have 1950s wiring? - where you may not have earth wires which your new chrome light fitting presumably requires.

 

[mishel02]

I have bought a new light for my lounge and it is a crystal type one and weighs 6kg. Is this too heavy to hang from the ceiling?

Another question to ask is;
Does my 1950s house have 1950s wiring? - where you may not have earth wires which your new chrome light fitting presumably requires.

My current light fitting has an earth so im sure it will be ok, hopefully Thanks everyone

 

[ban-all-sheds]

This all started because I questioned BAS's statement:

I doubt that there is a single person responsible for making, importing, or selling that light who is within the jurisdiction of the UK, and therefore is subject to any laws concerning safety etc.

So if I, as a foreign national, in a foreign country, contract with people to provide services to me, and I ship goods, fill in the forms, sign the contracts with their disclaimers, make the necessary declarations, pay HMRC their wedge, etc etc, and the result is people who are not related to me, not employed by me, and who do not become the beneficial owners of the goods become liable for penalties if it turns out I have sent a container load of dodgy stuff? These customs clearance agents, truck drivers, warehouse shelf stackers and pickers - they have a legal responsibility to ensure that the goods inside the boxes inside the crates inside the container are kosher?

 

[JohnW2]

These customs clearance agents, truck drivers, warehouse shelf stackers and pickers - they have a legal responsibility to ensure that the goods inside the boxes inside the crates inside the container are kosher?

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that, in such a situation, someone has to formally take responsibility as the 'importer' - although, for the reasons you imply, I doubt whether any of the people you mention would be prepared to take on that role.

As I said before, consider the possibility that the 'goods' ('inside the boxes, inside the crates, inside the container') were heroin (or firearms, or nuclear waste, or ....).

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that, in such a situation, someone has to formally take responsibility as the 'importer' - although, for the reasons you imply, I doubt whether any of the people you mention would be prepared to take on that role.

So if ego.c in China was simply posting things to his customers, who would formally take responsibility as the "importer"?

As I said before, consider the possibility that the 'goods' ('inside the boxes, inside the crates, inside the container') were heroin (or firearms, or nuclear waste, or ....).

Those are not businesses with which I have any experience, but from what I little I know I believe that there does tend to be people within the jurisdiction of UK laws who can be apprehended in possession of such goods.

 

[JohnW2]

So if ego.c in China was simply posting things to his customers, who would formally take responsibility as the "importer"?

As I said before, things become more complicated when individual goods are shipped/posted directly to an end-buyer but, as stillp has said, I believe that in legal terms the recipient/addressee is then deemed to be the importer. If it really matters to you, you should ask a lawyer for a definitive answer.

Those are not businesses with which I have any experience, but from what I little I know I believe that there does tend to be people within the jurisdiction of UK laws who can be apprehended in possession of such goods.

Probably true - but possession and importation of such goods are different crimes.

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

So if ego.c in China was simply posting things to his customers, who would formally take responsibility as the "importer"?

The purchaser is the "importer". I understand it is not an offence to import dangerous items that solely for one's own use. It becomes illegal importation when one imports dangerous items to be sold onto other people.

If the non in the UK manufacturer takes orders from several private customers in the UK and then sends the dangerous items in a single package / consignment to a third party in the UK who then repacks them individually and posts them to the customers then an offence may have been committed. The third party is the only person the UK authorities can take to court for handling dangerous items. If the third party can prove he had no reason to believe the items were dangerous then he may get off with a very light sentence or fine. Bogus ""Certificates of Compliance"" issued by the manufacturer can appear to be genuine and third parties may believe the items are not dangerous.

 

[DaveHerns]

Saying everything made in China is cr@p is about as ludicrous as saying everything made in Germany is top quality.
I bought a set of car mudflaps from an EBay seller based somewhere Chinese and it said 4 weeks delivery. They arrived in a week from a Portsmouth address . OK quality is nothing special but it's good enough for mudflaps and they cost £15 inc postage against £100 for genuine items.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Saying everything made in China is cr@p is about as ludicrous as saying everything made in Germany is top quality.

And who is saying that?

I bought a set of car mudflaps from an EBay seller based somewhere Chinese and it said 4 weeks delivery. They arrived in a week from a Portsmouth address . OK quality is nothing special but it's good enough for mudflaps and they cost £15 inc postage against £100 for genuine items.

Mudflaps are one thing.

Electrical items are quite another.






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