Unsafe glass-top table banned from sale

To request a refund or exchange it for other goods, call the supplier at 2602 8882 during office hours.

Customs officials said after consulting the Government Laboratory, a sample obtained from a supplier in Kwun Tong failed to comply with safety standards after tests for determination of strength, durability and stability.

Test results showed the table legs would buckle and its joints loosen if a horizontal force of about 45kg was applied. The table would also overturn if a vertical force of about 20kg was applied, posing a high risk to users.

Customs officers served a prohibition notice on the supplier early this week restricting it from selling the unsafe table.

The department said investigations are ongoing and the concerned supplier may be charged for breaching the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance.

Under the ordinance, manufacturers, importers and suppliers are required to ensure consumer goods they manufactured, imported and supplied are reasonably safe. It has already imposed a general safety requirement on all consumer goods including glass-top tables.

$100,000 fine, 1-year jail for sale of unsafe goods

It is an offence for any person to manufacture, supply or import into Hong Kong unsafe consumer goods, which fail to comply with the general safety requirement or any prescribed safety standards.

The maximum penalty for the offence is a $100,000 fine and a year in prison on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent convictions.

For complaints about unsafe consumer goods, write to the Consumer Protection & Prosecution Bureau of the Customs & Excise Department at 11th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, or call the Customs 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182.