This year, the Czech Trade Inspectorate completed a control activity aimed at fulfilling the basic requirements for reflective materials. Specifically, these were photometric requirements according to ČSN EN 13356 (Article 4.2.2), reflective tape marking requirements, including CE marking and requirements for providing additional product information. Inspectors checked the purchase of such reflective tapes to protect consumers when they are moving under reduced visibility on the roadside or on the edge of the road in a place not illuminated by public lighting.
The Czech Trade Inspection Authority carried out an inspection of 37 economic operators – distributors. In total, 37 types of products were checked and deficiencies found in 33 of them, where reflective tapes did not meet the requirements of the standard on photometric parameters, the requirements for mandatory designation of specified CE products or did not meet other information obligations. In total, almost 90% of the controlled reflective tapes failed.
The Czech Trade Inspectorate imposed a ban on the distribution of some products for the identified deficiencies or ordered the removal of the identified deficiencies. 27 fines of CZK 317,000 were legally imposed as part of the control action.
The Czech Trade Inspectorate recommends consumers who use reflective tapes in reduced visibility to buy such reflective tapes that are provided with mandatory data, such as the CE marking, manufacturer and product identifiers. Controls revealed that products meeting these statutory requirements at the same time had retro-reflective properties.