OIL LAMPS - Short version

The ingestion of small amounts of lamp oil for decorative oil lamps may lead to irreversible lung damage and to death. Children below the age of 4 years are at particular risk.

Regulations for the marketing of oils have been imposed to protect children (ban of coloured and perfumed oils, child-resistant closures, warnings). In addition, the Commission ordered the preparation of a European safety standard for oil lamps.

A representative of the Consumer Council chaired the responsible working group within the European standardisation organisation CEN. A prototype of a "child-resistant" oil lamp was developed in co-operation with a testing laboratory (TUEV). This lamp formed the basis for the elaboration of a test method. Filler openings of the lamp shall be made difficult to be opened by children. Further elements of the specification include prevention of leakage even if the oil lamp is turned around and a wick guard to keep children from sucking on the wick. With the publication of the reference to this standard in the Official Journal of the EU in April 2004 it became de facto compulsory.