Tukes tested gas stoves – only one out of six fulfilled requirements
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) had gas stoves with integrated ovens tested. Based on the tests, only one out of the six tested stoves fulfilled requirements set for the temperature of external surfaces.
Tukes acquired six gas stoves with integrated ovens from online shops for testing. The stoves were tested by SGS Fimko applying the testing methods and threshold values presented in the SFS-EN 30-1-1 standard.
Factors affecting the safety of stoves during use were investigated by testing. These factors include for example gas circuit soundness, temperatures of external surfaces, nominal heat input, the operation of flame supervision devices, the purity of combustion, and the ignition, cross-lighting and flame stability. In addition, the warning labels and operating instructions of the products, and the documentation demonstrating the compliance were checked.
Temperatures of external surfaces raised too high
- “When testing the temperatures of external surfaces, the testing procedure described in the SFS-EN 30-1-1 standard was not followed in every detail. During testing, the oven was used at full power, whereas the standard defines that the oven temperature should be set at 200 °C. This deviation was made because, in Tukes’ opinion, the testing method described in the standard does not correspond with actual operating conditions and, therefore, does not ensure that a product will not pose any risks to consumers”, says Jyri Pekkanen, senior officer at Tukes.
- “According to the standard applicable to gas stoves, temperatures of external surfaces shall not rise 60–65 °C higher than the ambient temperature during operation. The exact threshold value for temperature increases varies depending on the surface”, Pekkanen continues.
The findings made by Tukes and its stance on the test method described in the standard have been reported to the technical committee which is responsible for the maintenance of the standard, and the standard is currently being revised.
Manufacturers and importers have been contacted
Tukes has reported the test results to the gas stove manufacturers and importers, and consulted them, so that they can place more emphasis on the issues that arose from the testing. The exceedances of the threshold values observed in the tests weren’t so great that they would have created a need for any immediate actions.
Shortcomings were also discovered in the ability to reach the nominal heat input and in operating instructions. One product did not have any Finnish operating instructions. The respective companies were requested to correct these defects.
Regarding two stoves, Tukes required the respective company to carry out a new compliance assessment procedure, because their documents were granted for products of a different brand and manufacturer. These were “Private Label” products. The company in question was selling the product under its own name and brand, although the product was actually manufactured by another company. The company corrected the defect within the defined time.
Tukes does not inspect gas appliances beforehand – companies are responsible for the safety of their products
Pekkanen points out that companies are responsible for the safety of their products. The authorities supervise the compliance of products with requirements using spot checks.
Every member of the supply chain is responsible for ensuring the safety of gas appliances in accordance with their role. Companies should understand that non-compliant products may also be available in the market and ensure that such products are not sold or delivered to consumers. A company that sells gas appliances must have the ability to apply the legislation.
The obligations imposed on manufacturers, importers and distributors are regulated in more detail in the Gas Appliances Regulation. Before any product procurement, companies should check dangerous product registers to see if the product in question is listed there.
More information about requirements for gas appliances is available at the Tukes website.
Tukes hosts I Know My Products webinars
What requirements apply to my products and how should the requirements be fulfilled? Find out by participating in webinars hosted by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) in November.
The webinars are intended for companies that manufacture, import or sell electrical equipment, childcare articles, machinery, toys, personal protective equipment, gas appliances, batteries and accumulators or general consumer goods.
Products are regulated by a number of different directives, laws, decrees and other regulations. Before products can be placed on the market, the product manufacturer, importer and distributor should be aware of relevant regulations and ensure that the product fulfils them. Read more about the webinars and register at the Tukes website.
Further information: Jyri Pekkanen, senior officer, tel.: +358 29 5052 027,
email format: [email protected]
Information about requirements for gas appliances at the Tukes website
A table of the obligations of the manufacturer, importer and distributor (in Finnish)
Hazardous product registers:
Market surveillance register (in Finnish)
