People thinking of buying online during the Christmas season should ensure that the products they are to purchase comply with the applicable EU directives, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority said.

The authority said failure to do so may result in the products being withheld from entering Malta.

The authority warned that when one bought a product over the internet from outside the EU and the European Economic Area, one was no longer considered a consumer but an importer.

When importing products from these countries, the importer had to shoulder the responsibilities associated with the product, to ensure that it was safe and that it did not pose a serious risk to the user.

In an effort to ensure that products bought over the internet were safe, one had to ensure that they carried the required CE mark. Clothes, unless they ere carnival or Halloween costumes, and books did not require a CE mark.

The authority suggested that prior to purchasing the product, the Declaration of Conformity issued by the manufacturer should be requested from the online distributor; it was of utmost importance to note that documentation other than the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity would not suffice.

The Declaration of Conformity was a statement issued by the manufacturer which declared that the product conformed to the applicable European directives.