Elmark fined S$123,000 for selling unregistered ceiling fans and water heaters

Elmark fined $123,000 for selling unregistered fans and water heaters

MR No.: 107/21
Singapore, Thursday, 16 December 2021

1. Elmark Marketing (Elmark), a supplier and distributor of ceiling fans and water heaters pleaded guilty to 25 charges for failing to comply with the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR) administered by the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO)¹. These requirements include failing to register its ceiling fans and water heaters, which are classified as Controlled Goods², failing to have these tested and certified to relevant safety standards, and selling them with invalid SAFETY Marks affixed. The court case concluded today, with Elmark being fined a total of S$123,000 by the State Courts for violating requirements under the CPSR. 17 charges for other similar offences were taken into consideration for the sentence.

2. The CPSO began investigation in February 2019 after receiving a consumer’s feedback on a broken fan blade from an unregistered model of a ceiling fan supplied by the company. Investigations revealed that:
a. Elmark had been supplying unregistered models of ceiling fans and water heaters (refer to Annex 1 for details of models sold);
b. six models of Elmark’s ceiling fans were subsequently found to fail safety tests which pose a potential safety risk for electrocution and fire.

3. Pursuant to investigations, an advisory was issued to consumers in December 2019 to discontinue the use of 17 models of ceiling fans due to potential safety hazards. No reports of injuries were made to the CPSO. Elmark also recalled the ceiling fans with immediate effect. However, Elmark continued to contravene the CPSR by supplying two of the non-compliant models even after recall. These additional offences were included in the charges against Elmark.

4. Consumers who still possess these ceiling fans are advised to stop using them, and contact Elmark for redress options. Under the CPSR, suppliers of Controlled Goods, including ceiling fans and water heaters, must ensure these products are type-tested, certified to meet relevant safety standards, registered with the CPSO, and affixed with a SAFETY Mark before they can be supplied, displayed, and advertised for sale in Singapore³. Any person found guilty of supplying unregistered Controlled Goods, is liable upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

5. We also encourage consumers to play their part by taking safety considerations into account when purchasing ceiling fans and water heaters. They should practise the following:

a. Look out for a valid SAFETY Mark. Search through the Register of Controlled Goods at cpsaplus.gov.sg to check if the product has been registered with the CPSO;
b. Consumers are also encouraged to check if a safety alert has been issued for a particular product, by visiting consumerproductsafety.gov.sg.

6. Consumers can report product safety issues to the CPSO at 6898 1800 or consumerproductsafety@enterprisesg.gov.sg.

Annex 1: Models of unregistered ceiling fans and water heaters sold by Elmark

¹The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) was previously known as the Safety Authority under Enterprise Singapore.

²For full listing of Controlled Goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR), click here.

³Information on the CPSR requirements and SAFETY Mark can be found here

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Jocelyn Tan Assistant Business Partner
Corporate Communications
M : + 65 9817 7401
E : Jocelyn_TAN@enterprisesg.gov.sg