Page 12 - March Newsletter
P. 12

In September’s log we looked at the lack   In this log we look at the next generation
         of correct labelling within the market-  of smart phone accessory, the Wireless
         place for the fi dget spinner which due   Charger & the Qi (pronounced Chee)
         to their child appealing nature and toy   certifi cation
         like characteristics must comply with Toy
         (Safety) Regulations and with that be
         properly marked with a CE mark.



            SPOTLIGHT ON PRODUCT SAFETY





         Wireless chargers - 2018 is going to                                      Product Safety - But as soon as we talk
                                                                                                                                                                                                          How to know a product is Qi w to know a product is Qi
         see the rise of wireless chargers as the                                  tech and electrics we must consider                                                                                    Ho
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Certifi ed?
         technology for charging devices reaches                                   Product Safety and despite the fact                                                                                    Certifi ed?
         the market, in particular but not limited                                 we live in the UK and know the product
         to smartphones, without plugging them                                     safety rules & regulations are the highest                                                                             Always look for the Qi logo, only Qi ays look for the Qi logo, only Qi
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Alw
         into cables.                                                              standards in the world, that does not                                                                                  Certifi ed products can legally use the Qi
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Certifi ed products can legally use the Qi
                                                                                   mean that non-compliant, potentially                                                                                   logo, but such a marking can easily be
                                                                                                                                                                                                          logo, but such a marking can easily be
         The next big thing - These base chargers                                  dangerous product is not going to be                                                                                   added to a product or packaging.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          added to a product or packaging.
         are going to be the next Executive                                        available in the market.
         Business Gift, from the humble USB in                                                                                                                                                            To make sure a product has been tested
                                                                                                                                                                                                          To make sure a product has been tested
         the early noughties, which became                                         Know what you are buying  -  Shopping                                                                                  properly before receiving the Qi logo it is
                                                                                                                                                                                                          properly before receiving the Qi logo it is
         aff ordable and a great tech giveaway,                                    around and looking for the best price                                                                                  possible to look the product up in the Qi
                                                                                                                                                                                                          possible to look the product up in the Qi
         the mass adoption of the smartphone has                                   is of course the buyers role, but we                                                                                   Certifi ed Product Database, all products
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Certifi ed Product Database, all products
         taken us through compatible accessories                                   must educate ourselves as to what we                                                                                   are listed by brand, product name and
                                                                                                                                                                                                          are listed by brand, product name and
         such as headphones, speakers, power                                       are  buying and the  Wireless Charging                                                                                 type number.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          type number.
         banks and now the Wireless Charger as                                     product category already looks set to
         brandable tech Business Gifts.                                            promote confusion.                                                                                                     Or be
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Or better you can ask your vendor to tter you can ask your vendor to
                                                                                                                                                                                                          provide you with  their  product’s  Qi
                                                                                                                                                                                                          provide you with  their  product’s  Qi
         Prime marketing real estate - Really                                      Beware of fake, knock-off  wireless                                                                                    Certifi cate of Registration.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Certifi cate of Registration.
         useful & desirable with great print                                       charging products and risks
         areas for marketers to promote their                                                                                                                        Non certifi ed imitation products     A valid Qi certifi cate has the URL printed
         brands on prime marketing real estate                                     Cheaper, lower quality, products may                                              pose risks:                          on  the  certifi cate  that  takes  you to  a
         that far exceeds any other advert,                                        be unsafe and of course can have                                                                                       page on the Wireless Power Consortium’s
         this is marketing on your prospect and                                    detrimental impact on your brand.                                                 Safety risks due to overheating      web site where the details of the product
         customers’  desks  and  even  bedside                                                                                                                                                            can be checked & confi rmed.
         tables!                                                                                                                                                     Testing conducted in independent labs
                                                                                   This may be scaremongering, and there                                             found temperatures reaching 96°C /
                                                                                   will be plenty of product on the market                                           205°F when a metal ‘foreign object’ was
                                                                                   that is safe but belt & braces will be                                            present, a temperature that could cause
                                                                                   products that show the Qi mark, and it                                            injury such as 3rd degree skin burns.
                                                                                   is important for customers to be aware
                                                                                   what that mark means and how to check                                             Risk of device damage
                                                                                   its authenticity.
                                                                                                                                                                     Overheating drains and shortens battery
                                                                                                                                                                     life. Temperatures above 200 F can melt
                                                                                                                                                                                             0
                                                                                   Qi                                                                                phone cases and potentially damage
                                                                                   Products using the Qi standard must be                                            surfaces  in contact  with an  uncertifi ed
                                                                                   tested rigorously to help ensure safety,                                          charger or a uncertifi ed smartphone
                                                                                   interoperability and energy effi  ciency.                                         cover or case
                                                                                   Only products that have passed these
                                                                                   independent laboratory tests can legally                                          Risk of incompatibility
         The Qi logo (pronounced Chee)                                             use the Qi logo and are considered
                                                                                   “Qi Certifi ed.”                                                                   Uncertifi ed products may not work
                                                                                                                                                                     with other wireless charging products.
                                                                                   Be cautious of claims of “Qi compliant,”                                          Wireless charging products can include
                                                                                   “Qi compatible” or “Works with Qi,” as                                            both chargers, but also receivers such
                                                                                   these may indicate a product has not                                              as smartphone covers,  remembering of
                                                                                   undergone Qi certifi cation testing.                                              course we are charging our £800 iphone
                                                                                                                                                                     or Samsung smartphones, as a business
                                                                                                                                                                     gift it might be wise to brand the tested
                                                                                                                                                                     rather than cheaper charger.





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