6 out of 50 tested parties of winter fluids and concentrates of washer fluids and thaws for car windows had exceeded methanol content – the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection informed. The substance is a strong poison.
Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) announced on Friday that the Trade Inspectorate Inspectorates in 2024 inspected winter fluids and ratis of washer fluids and car windscreen defrosters. Experts at the UOKiK laboratory in Łódź examined 50 parts of these products in terms of methanol content. The office carried out an inspection at 53 entrepreneurs – 24 running retail outlets, 17 large retail chains and 12 wholesalers.
UOKiK control results
As part of laboratory tests, car windscreen products were checked in terms of methanol: 28 parts of winter washer fluids, 21 parts of the defrosters, one concentrate of winter washer fluid. The regulations limit the permissible methanol content in this type of products placed on the consumer market.
The office reported that out of 50 examined parts, exceeded the permissible methanol content, was found in six winter washer fluids: ATP (-22 degrees C), Doris Advanced Winter Clean (-22 degrees C), Tech9 (-22 degrees C) , Q11 (-22 degrees C), Waba (-22 degrees C)-above 3 percent methanol, fairline (-20 degrees C)-0.76 percent methanol in the basic sample (uncertainty of 0.10 percent result), 0.75 percent in a control sample (extended uncertainty 0.11 percent). UOKiK said that the permissible concentration is up to 0.6 percent.
He added that five decisions obliging entrepreneurs were issued to reimburse the costs of the research, and in one case the case is in progress. The office explained that entrepreneurs are betting to control on the basis of market analysis, results of previous inspections and signals from consumers or other market participants.
“The Trade Inspection provided information on irregularities to the local bodies of the State Sanitary Inspection, which may act as part of its own competences, and also sent letters with post -inspection conclusions to entrepreneurs,” the office said. He noted that As a result of the control, most entrepreneurs took repair, e.g. withdrawing the questioned goods from the sale.
Methanol with poison
The office reminded that Methanol is a strong poison – Drinking a dozen grams can cause blindness and even death. At the same time, he pointed out that the control of methanol content in car windscreen washer fluids and to defrost car windows are cyclically.
All products produced and placed on the market – as UOKiK emphasized – must meet the requirements for the restrictions indicated in Annex XVII to the EU REACH Regulation. Washer fluids and for defrosting car windows offered to consumers are explicitly indicated in the REACH Regulation, restrictions on methanol concentration.
“If the control detects exceeding the permissible concentration of chemicals, specified by the above -mentioned provisions – the products must be withdrawn from sales and is controlled by laboratory tests,” UOKiK said.
Source of the main photo: KONEKTUS Photo/Shutterstock