July 2004
Beijing State Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC), the Chinese government body tasked with supervising China Industry especially on matters of fake and sub standard products, in July 2004 conducted a survey in Beijing wholesale markets and department stores. The results of the survey were described by AIC as "worrying" and punishments are being effected. Electric kettles fitted with copies of the STRIX system were found to be significant in the survey.

STRIX Limited has rolled out their new Quality Initiative, the Q mark. STRIX awards this mark to companies who by the specification of STRIX products conform to the required safety standards and the STRIX contract review system. In August, at the prestigious Mission Hills Golf Club, STRIX celebrated with Airmate of Shenzhen the launch of new products incorporating STRIX components and the simultaneous launching of the Q mark.

July 2004
COI, the Czech Government body responsible for the safety of electrical goods on the market have recently undergone significant managerial changes. STRIX believes this will mean more effective Market Surveillance and control implied of course with the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union on May 1st 2004. Consumer Organisations are taking up the case of unsafe kettles also to further press the authorities. The Ministry of Industry and Trade supervising COI have always expressed keen support for the improvement of the safety of retail electrical goods.

July 2004
Following on from the seizure of over 200,000 electric kettles by Hamburg customs in February, more containers of unsafe kettles continue to be stopped. New European legislation on the Safety of Consumer Goods and Services introduced early this year is now taking effect. Under these regulations customs officers are obliged to seize unsafe products. STRIX believes this will be a major step forward in the battle against products fitted with copies of the STRIX safety critical control systems.

August 2004
Legal action continues against Inalsa and Usha brands who import kettles fitted with copies of the STRIX system. STRIX has developed a special product for the Indian market which will be launched later in the year.

August 2004
Kettle brand Kenon HEM 168, fitted with Yong Heng/Trisrping controls which allow access to live parts is receiving attention from the Market Surveillance Authorities. Further imports have been prevented. Test reports on kettles fitted with Sunlight controls are also under consideration.

July 2004
The Malaysian Energy Commission and Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs are continuing their crackdown on the sale of unsafe electric goods. Monthly raids are taking place countrywide. Misuse of safety labels is commonplace, but under the crackdown, fines of up to 250,000 per infringement are faced by infringers. STRIX have found from recent surveys that Makro and Giant stores offer the largest numbers of kettles fitted with copies of the STRIX system. The issuing of safety labels has recently been simplified, now only Sirim labels are issued for new approvals. Hitherto the Energy Commission and Sirim issued labels which often made enforcement more difficult.

Sirim are currently investigating an Elba branded kettle fitted with Yong Heng/Trispring controls which allows access to live parts.

August 2004
Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit, the new Dutch Safety Authority is currently considering the case of Severin 3435 kettles on sale in Holland. These kettles were recently the subject of safety action in Germany where sales were ceased and the manufacturer issued a public safety notice. They were fitted with unsafe cordless connector manufactured by Yong Heng/Trispring from Shunde in China.