The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) advises consumers to check gas regulators installed in their appliances, urging them to ensure that they are replaced by suitable new units after the time recommended by the manufacturer elapses.

Any such regulators should be replaced as soon as possible. One should also check that regulators installed on domestic appliances are suitable for LPG, the type of gas supplied in Malta and not for ‘Butane’ only.

Back in 2011 the authority banned two types of regulators: the TPA and Liquicontrol, which are still sometimes found in homes and should be discarded with immediate effect.

Moreover, one should also talk to one’s relatives and neighbours, especially older people, to ensure that the gas regulator installed is adequate and does not pose a serious risk.

The authority also advises economic operators to ensure that the regulators they place on the market for domestic use are suitable for use on LPG. Regulators stating ‘for butane only’ are not suitable for use with domestic gas cylinders.

Markings which should be found on the regulator should include:

• Manufacturer's name or identification symbol;
• Tradename of the regulator, with marking in letters or figures allowing the identification of the regulator;
• Type of gas: butane, propane or LPG; “butane” or “propane” or “LPG”; the marking “butane/propane” or “propane/butane” is not allowed;
• Nominal outlet pressure, expressed in millibars (mbar);
• Guaranteed rate in kilograms per hour (kg/h);
• Date of manufacture indicated by the last two figures of the year or identification of the production batch;
• Where necessary, an arrow to show the direction of the flow of gas;
• A reference to the applicable standard

The MCCAA also reminds consumers that should they encounter any problem with the cylinders and/or valves, they should immediately contact the pertinent operator, whose contact details are required by law to be imprinted on the gas cylinders.

For any further clarifications, contact the Technical Regulations Division within the MCCAA on 2395 2000 or on info@mccaa.org.mt.

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