Seizure of Kettles by Hamburg customs. December 2007

Hamburg customs held 3 containers of electric kettles of value 240,000 Euros on suspicion of infringement of Strix patents. Strix advised customs that the kettles did not infringe and the kettles were released. Strix understands that these kettles were subsequently found not to conform to safety standards as determined by Customs and that the kettles were denied entry into the European Union. The kettles were Perfect brand destined for Athletic International of Warsaw, and supplied by TT International of Singapore.

Rapex alert Week 6 2008



Electric kettle withdrawn from market and recalled from consumers. Strix understands that a number of German retailers were involved and that the second level bimetallic thermal cut-out failed to operate and resulted in serious overheating and a series of fires were reported. One kettle brand involved was Ideen Welt. The kettle was of the immersed element type and the control of the type that provides the second level abnormal protection by a second bimetal unlike the Strix immersed control, which uses a thermal fuse. This is the third recall of kettles using this control system since 2004.

Domotechnica Trade Fair

Strix worked with Essen customs to remove patent infringing electric kettles from the fair. German Customs are especially vigilant at trade fairs, controlling products en route to the fair and removing products during the trade fair.

The Consumer Protection Agency in Budapest is considering the case of some Dyras branded kettles being found unable to comply with required safety standards.

Rapex alert late 2007

Electric kettle Sapir SP 1230Y fitted with Liang Ji controls found to be unable to conform to the standards and withdrawn from sale.

Sapir SP 1230Y

The State Inspection agency is also considering the cases of the following electric kettles found on the market:

NEO KE 985
Hyundai VK 538B
Rohnson R712

The Trade Inspection authority (Gosstandard) has recently completed a comprehensive survey and test programme on electric kettles on the market in the Moscow Region. More than 120 kettles were sampled and more than 50% were found to be non-compliant with safety requirements. Product confiscation, fines to retailers, cancellations of Certificates of Conformity and investigations into test house accreditations were some of the resulting sanctions. A report is being compiled for the Russian Government.

Electric kettles branded Powerpac and of type reference PPJ2003 were found on the market in Singapore. These kettles were fitted with Liang Ji cordless connectors, which infringe Strix registered intellectual property in Singapore. A settlement agreement was reached with the importer resulting in destruction of all remaining stock and compensation for items sold. Strix expresses its thanks to the Singapore Patent Office IPOS in bringing attention to this case.

Destruction of Powerpac PPJ 2003 kettles in Singapore

All imported kettles are being tested by Customs before being allowed entry to the market.