Posted on 08/13/2018 7:52:19 AM PDT by Red Badger
The matches, which can be ignited against most surfaces, are being phased out to make them safer.
The controversial EU diktat, which came into force at the end of May, bans the sale of chemicals used to make the matches.
Swan Vestas, the best known brand, confirmed its 'strike anywhere' range was being discontinued.
The products are being replaced by safety matches, which can only be struck on the strip attached to the packet.
Seth Davidson, 44, from Pimlico, south London, attacked the move by branding it "insane".
He told the Sunday Times: "There's literally no harm to having 'strike anywhere' Swan Vestas.
"It also seems rather strange that we're still adopting EU rules when we're leaving the union in less than a year."
A spokesman for Swan Vestas said: "Republic Technologies, which owns Swan Vestas, is removing all 'strike anywhere' matches in its range due to changes in EU regulations.
"We have taken a number of factors into account including environmental impact, customer feedback, safety and ongoing production costs when making this decision."
The news comes as the EU prepares to ban the sale of halogen lightbulbs at the end of the month.
The measure, which aims to reduce energy use, means households will be forced to buy more expensive LED lights from September.
Halogens are sold in supermarkets for about £2 a bulb, while prices for their LED counterparts start at about £4.
The European Commission claims LED bulbs are better value for money, despite coming more, because of their long life and efficiency.
A report on the Commission's website said: "This phase-out in 2018 will have the advantage of offering greater monetary savings for European consumers and help the environment.
"This is in line with the Energy Union priority of improving Europe's energy efficiency, with the final goal of ensuring secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy."
Conservative MEP Syed Kamall said the EU's move to "force" consumers to buy LED bulbs "will come across as heavy-handed".
Don't hold your breath on that one Seth.
I haven’t seen them in years here in the US. Are they still available?
I would like to get some for my emergency stash.
Among the EU’s many sins, one of the worst is its pervasive class snobbery.
Every rule is directed at the productive class - retailers, manufacturers, commuters, etc. because they know these people will comply and because they know these people will grumble but they will still pay fines and fees to fund the beast. And the cycle continues.
Meanwhile, of course, the EU pretends a slow-motion invasion by the Third World isn’t happening at all.
Banning Moslems would make more sense.
Yes, they are.............
The EU is an example of what happens to countries when parties with a certain mentality takes control of the government. In the United States, this party is called the Democrat Party. This is why it’s important for us to work hard for a good turnout for the mid term elections.
How about banning acid attacks and allah fubar cutlery?
Shaking head, where oh where are the copy editors, is there no one capable of going beyond the use of spellcheck? Perhaps 'coming' should be 'costing'?
And another (sigh!)...
"This is in line with the Energy Union priority of improving Europe's energy efficiency, with the final goal of ensuring secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy."
Perhaps Energy Union should be European Union or am I all bollixed up?
A 28 year old New Yorker who talks like a 14 year old California Valley Girl.
I’ve found that “Strike anywhere” and safety matches made in the USA are harder to strike than they were fifty years ago. I have some that refuse to light even when struck on the strip on the edge of the box. So I have gone to a propane lighter.
In the olden days you could light a match on your jeans, using a thumbnail, anything rough. No more.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/energy-union-and-climate_en
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/building-energy-union
They want us to go back to flint and steel.
Then they take the steel away............
The whimsy of tyranny.
The UK is not leaving the EU. Thanks to the intentional eff-ups in implementing Brexit, the UK will simply become a second-class citizen of the EU.
Other countries need to form a 2nd EU that people can join. The 2nd only only does 2 things, have a currency and an army (nothing else, no judiciary, let the other countries control that)
I'll bet the new safety matches can be struck on the strip attached to ANY packet, not just their own. Looks like Europe has some more banning to do. [/sarc]
Pennsylvania has been insane for DECADES! StrikeAnywhere matches have been banned here as long as I can remember...
Better hurry up
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