The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority has said that the number of persons buying products on line is increasing, with people buying all sorts of items. Products bought over the internet vary from electrical and electronic items to toys as well as other consumer products. “Most persons buying over the internet, however, are not aware of some issues related to such purchases create.”
“When a person buys a product over the internet from a country outside the European Union and the European Economic Area, he or she is no longer considered to be a consumer but has now become the importer of the product.
“When importing products from these countries the importer will have to shoulder the responsibilities associated with such a product. He or she are responsible to ensure that the product they purchase is safe and that it does not pose a serious risk to the user, who very often is the person himself or someone very close to the purchaser,” the MCCAA said.
The Authority added that, “iIn an effort to ensure that products bought over the internet are safe, one must ensure that if such products require the CE mark, such a mark is affixed to the product, or its immediate packaging if it cannot be affixed to the product itself. Thus electrical and electronic products and toys require the CE mark to be able to be placed on the market in Europe, including Malta. On the other hand, clothes, unless they are carnival or Halloween costumes, and books do not require a CE mark.”
The MCCAA said that it advises persons who are thinking of buying online during this Christmas season to ensure that the products they are to purchase comply with the applicable EU directives.”
“Failure to do so may result in the products being withheld from entering into Malta, which may cause disappointments to those involved,” The Authority warned.
The MCCAA suggests that prior to purchasing the product, the Declaration of Conformity issued by the manufacturer must be requested from the online distributor; it is of utmost importance to note that documentation other than the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity will not suffice.
The Declaration of Conformity is a statement, issued by the manufacturer and by the manufacturer alone, which declares that the product in question conforms to the applicable European Directives.
For further information please contact the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Mizzi House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda, HMR 9010. www.mccaa.org.mt [1]. Telephone: +356 2395 2000 Fax: +356 2124 2406.