To protect consumers' rights and interests, the Executive Yuan's Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) examined and inspected 10“electric kettles” sold in the market. For “quality items,” all of them met the requirements; three did not meet the requirements for "labeling items"; and for “essential component comparison,” one failed to meet the requirements. The DCP has asked the competent authority, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), to handle the failed cases in accordance with the law.

Electric kettles have gradually become a common household appliance because boiling water in them is safer than using a gas stove, and less time consuming than with an electric thermos. This is why the quality and safety of electric kettles are linked to people’s home safety. To protect the rights and interests of consumers purchasing and using electric kettles, the DCP cooperated with the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, MOEA (BSMI) and bought 10 “electric kettles” from physical stores in northern Taiwan and online stores as inspection samples in April of this year (2021). The BSMI performed quality inspections on these electric kettles. Inspection items included “temperature rise,” “leakage current, insulation, and voltage endurance,” “abnormal operation,” and “structural inspection,” while a labeling inspection and an “essential component comparison” were respectively carried out by the BSMI and the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Central Region Office in accordance with relevant regulations set forth in the "Commodity Inspection Act" and the "Commodity Labeling Act."

The results of the tests and checks are described as follows:

1. Quality items: All 10 met the requirements.
2. Labeling items: Ten electric kettles were checked, of which seven met the requirements, while three failed to meet the requirements.

1. In terms of the "Commodity Inspection Act": Two did not comply with the Act.

The contents of their instruction manuals did not comply with the previously registered information, nor with section 7.12 of CNS 60335-2-15.

2. In terms of the "Commodity Labeling Act": One did not comply with the Act.

The manufacturing number on its outer packaging was inconsistent with the number on the product itself.

3. In terms of the “essential component comparison” items: One did not comply with the Act.

Its power cord plug was inconsistent with previously registered information.

In terms of the violation of the “Commodity Inspection Act” related to labeling items, the companies have been notified in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 59 of the same Act that corrections must be made within a time limit. If they fail to do so, they will be imposed a fine from NT$100,000 to NT$1,000,000, and their commodity registration certificate will be rescinded according to Paragraph 2, Article 42 of the same Act. As for the violations of the "Commodity Labeling Act," the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Central Region Office has asked the local competent authorities for investigation and punishment in accordance with Article 15 of the same Act. As for the case that failed to comply with the “essential component comparison,” the company has been asked to apply for approval in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 40 of the Commodity Inspection Act. If the company fails to do so, its commodity registration certificate will be rescinded.

The DCP states that it has asked the relevant competent authorities to urge the suppliers to rectify the defects found in the testing and inspection as soon as possible. The DCP also reminds consumers to pay attention to the following matters when purchasing and using an electric kettle: (I) Buy an electric kettle with a “commodity inspection label” (please refer to the following website to search for commodity inspection labels: https://civil.bsmi.gov.tw/bsmi_pqn/). (II) Make sure a Chinese instruction manual, an instruction manual on the package, any attached instruction manuals or precautions for use are provided. Before using an electric kettle, consumers should carefully read the instruction manuals and follow the instructions and precautions. (III) Do not exceed the maximum water level marked on an electric kettle. Do not open the cap when the water is boiling to avoid spilling boiling water. Also, do not plug and use an electric kettle when there’s no water inside. (IV) Please use an electric kettle on a stable and flat surface out of the reach of children to avoid knocking it over, thus damaging the product or causing injuries.