Fabric Steamers (CCCN 8516.40.00.00.3C and 8516.79.00.00.7D); Electric smoothing irons (HS 851640); Electro-thermic appliances, for domestic use (excl. hairdressing appliances and hand dryers, space-heating and soil-heating apparatus, water heaters, immersion heaters, smoothing irons, microwave ovens, ovens, cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers, roasters, coffee makers, tea makers and toasters) (HS 851679)

Proposal for Legal Inspection Requirements for Fabric Steamers (4 page(s), in English; 4 page(s), in Chinese)

The convenience of fabric steamers has made them popular in consumer households in recent years. Concerns have been raised about hazards of electric shock and fire as the high temperature of steam used to remove textile wrinkles may cause degradation of insulation. Besides, a relatively high percentage of products randomly sampled from the market were found not in compliant with voluntary standards in terms of their safety and EMC aspects. The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) proposes to regulate fabric steamers in a similar manner as electric irons. Proposed requirements include safety, EMC and use of hazardous substances. The conformity assessment procedure will be Registration of Product Certification Scheme (Module II+III) or Type-approved Batch Inspection.