Product Safety Officers from the Technical Regulations Division within the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority have sealed and removed ‘sky lanterns’ from the market. Sky lanterns are deemed to pose a serious risk to consumers.
The sale and use of such products was banned in Malta earlier this year by virtue of Government Notice No: 634 dated 12th July 2011. Information about the risks posed by sky lanterns was exchanged between all Member States and the European Commission through the EU rapid alert system for dangerous products – RAPEX
Sky lanterns – sometimes also referred to as Chinese Lanterns or Wish Lanterns – are frequently used during festivities, fairs and celebrations. They are operated by igniting a liquid or a small solid fuel slab which is located and held in place at the lower extremities of a fabric or paper dome- shaped bag which inflates by the action of hot gases being released from the burning fuel. Once inflated, the lanterns are released into the atmosphere where they float haphazardly out of control of the human user.
Such mode of operation may cause the lantern to glide onto flammable or highly combustible materials such as houses, fields and cars, thus posing an obvious risk to third party individuals, the environment and property. These products have also caused problems related to false alarms for coastguards and aviation.
MCCAA would like to take this opportunity to once again insist with:
1. economic operators to refrain from placing on the market, selling or giving these lanterns to consumers;
2. consumers to refrain from using these lanterns anywhere in Malta.
Any person who requires further information or has any queries on this issue may contact the Technical Regulations Division within the MCCAA (Tel: 2395 2000 or email: helpdesk.msa@msa.org.mt [1].