“Non-conforming” power tools are increasingly appearing on the European market in various retail settings. Non-conformity means that the relevant legal requirements have not been met, in particular with respect to safety and emissions standards designed to protect power tool users and the environment.
The DPLF (German Test and Certification Centre for Agricultural and Forestry Machinery), an accredited, independent certification body, conducts the necessary tests on different chainsaw types that these power tools need to pass before they can be marketed in the EU. The tested machines do not meet the legal requirements of harmonised safety and environmental standards. This means that there is an increased risk of injury to users and third parties, and a greater impact on health and the environment as emissions are above the legal limit. Results of emissions testing show that the levels are four times above the legally acceptable limits. Consequently, machines of identical design may not be marketed within EU jurisdiction, and machines already on the market pose a serious risk.
A direct comparison based on three selected tests performed with an original STIHL MS 440 and a non-conforming PowerHaus KW 6500 makes the disastrous consequences all too clear: the PowerHaus KW 6500 not only poses a danger to the customer, it also sows confusion by using characteristic STIHL colours to give the impression of an original product, thereby infringing the orange/light-grey trademark.
