1 01 Update on Consumer Fire Safety Consumer electronics and Upholstered Furniture Presentation by Robert Graham Executive Director of the Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in Europe (ACFSE) 7th EFA Roundtable September 2008

ACFSE Consumer Electronics Campaign

3 03 Flatscreen burn, The Hague, 3rd April Conducted by The Hague Fire Brigade Objectives:  To raise consumer awareness – particularly in run-up to Olympic Games & European Football Championship;  To put pressure on remaining OEMs to follow leadership of Philips, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba  To demonstrate need for action to regulators currently considering introducing higher fire safety requirements for TVs sold in Europe. Outcome:  Performance of “good TVs” as expected  “Bad TV” on fire within minutes  No flashover; Significant smoke development  Good media coverage  Response from Samsung

4 13 EUROPE Higher fire safety standard for TVs has been adopted As of 2010, TV manufacturers in Europe will have to show compliance with this higher requirement GLOBAL Higher fire safety requirement for TVs was rejected by standard setters Initiative to introduce “harmonised standard” to reflect merging of consumer electronics and IT equipment ACFSE Position: There is a increase of E&E equipment in the domestic environment It doesn’t matter what the appliance does: fire safety against accidental external ignition needs to be ensured >300gr Therefore ACFSE is pursuing its engagement Standardisation work

ACFSE Upholstered Furniture Campaign

6 19 Objective: Demonstrate need to decrease fire hazard of upholstered furniture Outcome: Continental EU sofa ignited within seconds Flashover after less than 3 minutes UK Sofa resists ignition Next steps: Explore possibilities to present issue to EU Committee on General Product Safety and its National Members We will need your help! Upholstered furniture burn, Delft, 30 June

7 18 Conclusion We can increase domestic fire safety through our work We need to continue to raise awareness of the fire hazard of domestic consumer products Fire Safety should be at the top of the EU agenda More info on