Requirements for lighters

Important factors related to the safety of lighters (i.e. common cigarette lighters, cigar lighters and pipe lighters) include lighting mechanisms and design that are safe for children, height of the flame, ease of putting out the flame and shock, heat and pressure resistance.

Because lighters are general consumer goods, they should not be CE marked, and no permission from an authority is required to sell them.

Safety requirements

Lighters must meet the requirements of the Consumer Safety Act: they must not pose a danger to the health and property of consumers. Safety and quality requirements and testing methods for lighters are defined in standard SFS-EN ISO 9994 and its amendment A1.

Lighters must be safe for children. A lighter is considered to be safe for children if the lighter is designed and manufactured in such a way that it cannot be operated by children. Use by children can be prevented through means such as the construction or design of the lighter, an ignition system protective component or complex actions required for use. Standard SFS-EN 13869:2016 defines child safety requirements for lighters, as well as testing methods for them.

Lighters must not

  • resemble other articles, such as cartoon characters, toys, guns or vehicles; or
  • include flashing lights, music or moving objects, for example.

The main objective of this restriction is to protect children.

Markings and user instructions

Lighters must be accompanied by instructions and warnings necessary for safe use in Finnish and Swedish. The instructions can include illustrative images to improve clarity, and instead of text, information can be provided with commonly known instruction or warning symbols.

Standard SFS-EN 9994 provides detailed requirements on the marking and instructions of lighters and provides examples of pictograms.