Health Canada advises the Canadian public to check for potentially dangerous light bulbs

Advisory
2004-68
December 21, 2004
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising the Canadian public to examine any compact fluorescent light bulbs they may have in their homes to determine if they may be of the GLOBE Mini-Spiral, 13 Watt variety. These bulbs may pose both fire and electrical shock hazards and consumers are advised to immediately stop using the products.

Compact florescent bulbs are purchased by many consumers as an energy-efficient replacement for traditional home light bulbs. They are for use in socket-style fixtures, such as table lamps. The bulbs have a spiral shape. Some of the GLOBE Mini-Spiral, 13 Watt bulbs contain a non-Underwriters Laboratories (UL) compliant part, but nonetheless carry the UL certification stamp. By containing these non-compliant parts, the UL certification for the entire bulb has been invalidated.

The light bulbs subject to this advisory can be identified as follows:

• they are marked "GLOBE Mini-Spiral, 13W, 120V, 60Hz, 225mA" (with the "GLOBE" logo in upper case letters)
• they bear UL file number "E197131"
• on the base of the bulb, to the right of the "GLOBE" logo, the products are marked with one of the following (date) codes:

It should be noted that similar 13 Watt Mini-Spiral Bulbs carrying the "globe" logo, in lower case letters, are NOT subject to this advisory as they make use of different components than the affected GLOBE bulbs.

The affected GLOBE light bulbs were manufactured in China by Fujian Joinluck Enterprise Co Ltd. During the period January 2002 through April 2003, they were distributed across Canada by the Globe Electrics company and sold at retail outlets.

The light bulbs, that are the subject of this advisory, were manufactured with parts that Underwriters Laboratories neither tested nor approved, making the certification stamp invalid. Underwriters Laboratories is an independently operated and not-for-profit organization that undertakes product safety certification. Incidents have been reported in Canada wherein some of the non-approved parts failed and this resulted in holes being melted in the bulb's enclosure.

Should consumers choose to do so, they may contact the manufacturer of the GLOBE bulb to arrange to be compensated for the defective product. The company can be reached at: customerservice@globe-electric.com or by phone at 514-694-0444, ext. 151

Alternatively, the defective bulbs may be returned to:

JOINLUCK Recall10/04
1453 Cornwall Road
Oakville, Ontario L6J 7T5

(Fujian Joinluck Enterprise Co Ltd. has indicated that, at no charge, they will exchange each defective bulb for 2 (two) new and similar non affected replacement bulbs.)

Those consumers wishing to dispose of the defective light bulbs can do so in their regular household garbage.

Health Canada has been in contact with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, which fully supports this notification. On matters relating to public safety, Health Canada will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders.

For further information, contact the Health Canada Product Safety Office nearest you:

City, Province	Telephone Number	E-mail Address
Vancouver, British Columbia	(604) 666-5003	Bby_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Edmonton, Alberta	(780) 495-2626	Edm_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Calgary, Alberta	(403) 292-4677	Cal_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	(306) 975-4502	Sk_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Winnipeg, Manitoba	(204) 983-5490	Mb_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Hamilton, Ontario	(905) 572-2845	Tor_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Toronto, Ontario	(416) 973-4705	Tor_Prodsafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Montreal, Quebec	(514) 283-5488	Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca
Longueuil, Quebec	(450) 646-1353	Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca
Quebec, Quebec	(418) 648-4327	Quebec_Prod@hc-sc.gc.ca
Moncton, New Brunswick	(506) 851-6638	Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
Halifax, Nova Scotia	(902) 426-8300	Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca
St. John's, Newfoundland	(709) 772-4050 or (709) 772-5455	Atlantic_ProdSafe@hc-sc.gc.ca

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Media Inquiries:
Margot Geduld/Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991