The Malta Lifts Association said today that around 8,000 lifts in Malta and Gozo are potentially unsafe for passengers as they are unregistered, uncertified and are not regularly inspected to ensure they meet EU safety standards.

"Lift installers are legally bound to observe EU standards and regulations, but some choose to operate outside the regulatory system. This puts lift users are risk," said  Lorna Mifsud Cachia, president of the Malta Lifts Association, a reference body for information about lift safety requirements, CE certification, and related concerns.

The statement was issued after a 75-year-old woman was seriously injured on Sunday when a lift at her home in Marsascala crashed two storeys while she was in it. The lift was reportedly unregistered.

The law requires that all lifts should be registered with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.

The association said that an unregistered lift was more likely to be a safety risk as it was not routinely tested and inspected, and was less likely to be well maintained. The lift registration fee is a once-only €10.00 payment

"Lift owners are responsible – either directly or indirectly through an administrator if indeed one has been appointed - for safety once their lift is installed," Dr Mifsud Cachia said. "In apartment blocks  where one or more lifts are shared and hence are part of the common areas , the administrator becomes the responsible person to ensure lift safety. If no administrator has been appointed, then all the lift owners are jointly responsible for ensuring lift safety."

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