Check your gas regulators: more complaints reach consumer authority

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) has noted yet again during inspections and through complaints made by the public that regulators of the type TPA Butane LR2522 (photo), banned from the local market months ago, are still in use by the public.

"These regulators have been found to be noncompliant with the relevant standards and pose a serious risk to consumers due to a possible leak between the regulator and the cylinder valve. A recent incident in which a gas cylinder was reported to have caught fire was, in fact, installed with a TPA regulator," the authority said in a statement.

The authority is "highly" recommending members of the public to refrain from using these regulators on their LPG systems and return them to the place of purchase.

It also advised members of the public to ensure that, in particular gas heaters and barbecue sets, which may or may not currently be in use, and which may be fitted with these regulators, are checked to ensure that these regulators are

removed from use.

The authority also advised economic operators to ensure that the regulators they place on the market satisfy two important requirements, namely that these comply to EN 12864, and suitable for use on lpg, the type of gas supplied in Malta.

Should customers encounter any problem with the cylinders and valves, they should immediately contact the pertinent operator whose contact details are required by law to be imprinted on the gas cylinders. For any further clarifications, one can contact the Technical Regulations Division of the MCCAA on 23952000.