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Sim G wrote:If memory serves “British Subject” is not a status that can be attained by a foreigner when naturalised as a British citizen, unless a subject of the Empire or a citizen of Eire, prior to 1949.

In my grandparents last Canadian passports issued in the 1950s, and my first Canadian passport (in 1974), the first page contained the statement: "A Canadian citizen is a British subject".

That statement was notable by its absence in the passport that replaced it, and all others since. So something must have changed in the intervening 5 years, but of course it was done without public comment, so I have no idea what.

stuarta wrote: The CE mark on European Machines show they conform to certain standards, these include safety standards such as interlock guarding. The Chinese put a similar mark on their machines that has minor differences but to a non expert it looks the same. These Chinese machines are often dangerous as the interlocking safety features are easily overridden by operators and machines do not “fail to safe”. The Chinese defend putting the CE, (Certificate of European Conformity) by calling it Chines Export. The EU should ban this fraud but choose to turn a blind eye.

Its astonishing how the EU have turned a blind eye to this situation over many years.....but perhaps not

This shows the tiny difference between the two......its no wonder so many people get duped.

GeeRam, I had not seen or at least not noticed, the 'China Export' mark before.

Ovenpaa wrote:GeeRam, I had not seen or at least not noticed, the 'China Export' mark before.

I've seen it mentioned in work stuff loads, probably to do with PPE.

That whole CE marking thing is shocking - I'd never heard of that before reading it on this thread.

All machinery sold in the EU whether made within or imported in has to conform to European standards. These standards cover noise, vibration, electrical insulation, safety guarding, fitness for purpose and so on. These are supposed to be tested before the machine or goods can be sold or imported. This is one of the reasons you see very few American made machines or tools for sale in the U.K. or Europe as they have their own standards and have not bothered to put their machines or goods through this expensive and time consuming process.
China on the other hand have just ignored the law, slightly altered the CE mark and got away with it. That’s how they have been able to export to the U.K. respiratory machine, PPE and other goods that are not fit for purpose in recent weeks! They have got away with it for years.
I could go on and on about equipment and tools I have inspected over years that have been imported from China that were below basic safety standards and sad to have seen a crashed operators hand when the safety interlock failed on a Chinese made machine.
Buying departments in industry, government, NHS, etc. and we who buy and use machines and other goods should beware buying goods that have never been tested from China.

"That’s how they have been able to export to the U.K. respiratory machine, PPE and other goods that are not fit for purpose in recent weeks!"

But surely, as these imported products are for medical/clinical use they have to go through some sort of testing here in the UK in order to be approved for issue?.

China sent a plane load of medical PPE to Spain a week or so ago, and it was reported that none of it met the required standards and couldn't be used.

They just done the same with a load of stuff sent to India as well.

China did the same to Holland and it was literally falling apart as the staff went to use it. We are in the same boat, 20 million quids worth of tests that are worthless and they were paid for up front. I see parts of our national press are kicking our government for buying the defective test kits. Yeah, like they f*** knew in front... I despair of our press, all they try and do is get one over whoever is trying to do something. Right now they should be asking 'How can we help'

snayperskaya wrote:"That’s how they have been able to export to the U.K. respiratory machine, PPE and other goods that are not fit for purpose in recent weeks!"

But surely, as these imported products are for medical/clinical use they have to go through some sort of testing here in the UK in order to be approved for issue?.

As previously established, medical devices, machines etc can only be sold within the EU if they have CE certification from a credible notified body (eg BSI). Businesses should ask to see who awarded the CE certification to ensure that they aren't naughty Chinese Export marks. It's the first time I've seen it per this thread and will definitely keep an eye out in work, however, the machines I've been involved in purchasing with work have 100% been manufactured and tested in the EU.

I wonder what response you'd get from a Chinese manufacturer?