Operation Natal Seguro, carried out by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) across the country, identified 90,386 products with irregularities among the 725,230 inspected throughout the month of November. The balance was released this Wednesday (17) by the institute.
“It’s a very representative number,” he said this Wednesday (17) to Brazil Agency the head of the Regulation and Regulatory Quality Division at Inmetro (Direq), Hercules Souza.
head of the Regulation and Regulatory Quality Division at Inmetro (Direq) Hércules Souza. Photo: Disclosure/Inmetro – Disclosure/Inmetro
The action took place between the 3rd and 28th of November, with the support of the Brazilian Network of Legal Metrology and Quality (RBMLQ-I). The objective was to verify products in high demand during the end-of-year festivities, such as toys, decorative lamps (flashers), typical seasonal foods and alcoholic beverages, among others.
The attention of inspectors was drawn to the fact that the largest number of irregularities was associated with the sale of toys without mandatory registrationthat is, without presenting the Inmetro conformity seal that allows the manufacturer or importer to sell a toy on the national market.
The seal is given to products that are subjected to tests that meet minimum safety requirements. The finding that a large number of irregularities are related to toys “is quite worrying”, said the head of Direq.
Of the 549 thousand toys inspected, 82.4 thousand showed some type of irregularitythe absence of the conformity seal is the most common. According to Souza, the problem is evidence that the product was not subjected to tests to meet the safety requirements required by Inmetro.
Inmetro identifies more than 90 thousand irregular Christmas products, of which 82.4 thousand were toys. Photo: Operation Natal Seguro/Inmetro
Flasher
In addition to toys with irregularities, which account for 15% of the items inspected, blinker-type luminaires also stood out among the problematic productswith 7.28%.
“These Christmas lights are also regulated and must present information on the packaging for the consumer, including: name, brand, whether there is an importer or manufacturer, company name, address, maximum power that can be used, National Register of Legal Entities (CNPJ) number, country of origin”, describes Souza.
He adds that all this information must be written in Portuguese, and the product must also have a specific cable, determined by technical standards. “In this case, we found a lot of problems with information that was not being given appropriately to the consumer.”
Hercules Souza recalled that, in the case of this type of Christmas lamps, there are a series of guidelines that must be checked by the consumer. The luminaire plug, for example, which is the part that attaches to the socket, must have the Inmetro conformity seal.
He mentions that the nominal voltage, power and nominal current in amperes are information that must also be made available to the consumer.
Furthermore, the head of the Inmetro division warns that consumers themselves make mistakes when using these luminaires and should be careful, for example, to buy a product compatible with their home’s electrical network.
“Another thing that people don’t pay attention to is that these luminaires have to be purchased to be installed in a suitable environment. There are luminaires for external and internal environments. For external environments, in general, they have a higher level of protection, because they are more exposed to the elements. Therefore, it is important that the consumer is guided and pays attention to this.”
Likewise, the head of Direq stated that Flashing lights should not be positioned near curtains or other material that could spread fire. Another important thing is to remind the consumer that, if they are going to sleep, they must turn off the lamps, in addition to not making amendments or repairs to the wiring.
Extra attention must also be paid to animals to avoid problems and, in relation to Christmas hoses with LED incandescent lamps, he recommended that they should be used fully unwound, which can avoid problems. “It’s good to make the house beautiful at this time, with the lights on, but it’s also good to use it appropriately.”
Food
Among the foods typical of the end of year festivities, the highlight for the percentage of irregularities in relation to the total of products inspected was identified in products called pre-sold or pre-packaged, such as olive oil (7.67%), olives (7.32%), milk (3.73%), panettone (3.68%), fruit (2.83%), chocolate (2.62%), vinegar (2.12%) and alcoholic drinks (1.93%).
Inmetro identifies more than 90 thousand irregular Christmas products, of which 82.4 thousand were toys. Photo: Operation Natal Seguro/Inmetro
Municipalities
The highest rates of non-compliance were recorded in Guarulhos (SP) and Guarujá (SP), both with 100% of inspected products not meeting the standard. Next come Indaial (SC), with 99%; Timbó (SC), with 89%; and Santana (AP), with 87%. High percentages were also observed in Morro da Fumaça (SC), with 75%; Balneário Camboriú (SC), with 63%; Ariquemes (RO), with 55%; Piracanjuba (GO), with 54%; and Santa Helena (MA), with 39%.
Penalties
Establishments where irregularities were detected are fined by Inmetro’s delegated bodies, but can appeal administratively, as provided for by law.
They are subject to fines ranging from R$100 to R$1.5 million, depending on the degree of irregularity, and the size of the establishment, the degree of irregularity detected and the degree of recurrence, among other factors, are also taken into account when imposing a fine.
As emphasized by Hercules Souza, Inmetro’s greatest interest is changing consumer behavior.
“That he actually understands that a safe product is better to purchase on the market. We understand that the consumer must be a partner, not purchasing products in irregular establishments. Furthermore, the consumer must be attentive and always demand the invoice.” And he warned: “Buying cheap ends up being expensive, because this product does not meet safety requirements.”
