|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The results of tests conducted by the Ahmedabad-based consumer group, Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) on ten well known brands of automatic pop-up toasters sold in the market found that most of these did not conform to safety standards. In order to ensure the safety of the user and prevent fires in case the pop-up mechanism of the toaster fails to function, toasters should be provided with what is known as "non-self resetting thermal cut-out", which would automatically switch off the toaster in such situations. In fact, this is an additional safety requirement under the standards formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). However, CERS’ tests revealed that none of the 10 brands had provided for such a safety device. Ironically, in order to protect consumers and ensure the safety of these devices, pop-up toasters were brought under the Household Electrical Appliances ( Quality Control) Order, 1981. Obviously, the Quality Control Order has served no meaningful purpose. Unlike Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003, under which several electrical goods including bulbs, wires, cables, switches and plugs cannot be manufactured or sold without the mandatory ISI quality mark, the Quality Control Order 1981, applicable to pop-up toasters only requires the products to "conform" to BIS standards. In other words, where the ISI seal is mandatory, the Bureau of Indian Standards officials inspect the manufacturing premises, test the quality of the product and only then issue a license to use the ISI mark and this needs to be renewed regularly. However, under the Quality Control Order of 1981, no such requirement is mandated. The ISI seal is not compulsory and the state enforcement authorities have to ensure that the products are made in accordance with the requirements specified in the BIS standard. Obviously, state governments find it convenient to ignore this job. It’s time, consumers demanded that automatic pop-up toasters are also brought under the Electrical Wires , Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (quality control) Order and ISI quality seal made mandatory for these toasters. This would ensure the safety of the toasters and prevent fires, as happened with Prakash’s toaster. CERS, which followed the testing procedures prescribed under the BIS standards for performance and safety, put two slices of bread in the toaster and prevented the ejector mechanism from releasing the bread. Much to its shock, CERS found, at the end of the test, products coming out in poor light—while one was distorted, another was deformed. In yet another, the ejection mechanism failed to work. Says CERS: Since none of the brands provided for the non-self resetting thermal cut out, they all failed in operation test." The products did not come out with flying colours in some of the other safety and performance tests either. In seven out of 10 brands for example, the internal wiring and electric connections were not adequately protected. Says CERS: It is best to remain careful during the operation of toasters as they did not conform to some of the safety tests". So when you switch on the toaster and put bread slices in it, keep a watch over it. It is also prudent to wear slippers and keep the toaster away from towels, paper napkins, curtains or any other combustible source. |
