Ceretto bill to protect consumers and firefighters passes Assembly

In an effort to protect the lives of consumers and firefighters, Assemblyman John Ceretto is pleased to announce his co-sponsored bill (A.1041) preventing retailers from selling electrical products with fraudulent Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) labels passed the Assembly on Wednesday. The bill was referred to the Senate committee on consumer protection. Ceretto noted this bill comes with the strong support of Niagara Falls firefighters and said he believes this bill will better protect families and firefighters from electrical fires.

"Families should not have to worry about fraudulent labels on electrical products when they buy the household items that they use on a daily basis," Ceretto said. "The potential loss of life to consumers and firefighters as a result of fraudulent labels is unacceptable. My bill will protect our communities from electrical fires due to faulty and fraudulent equipment. I am pleased this legislation passed today and hope to see it swiftly passed in the Senate."

If enacted, this legislation would require any retail merchant selling an electrical product with a fraudulent UL label pay a fine of up to $100. They would also have to complete an online training session designed to teach retailers how to identify fraudulent UL labels to avoid selling them in the future. Repeat violators are subject to fines of up to $500.