Compared with regulations in America and Europe, CR regulation, which will be implemented from 27th of the month, is much stricter for lighter manufacturers. Lighters exported to Japan account for one third of the total. Information from Foreign Trade Bureau indicates that representatives of lighter enterprises in Cixi have been sent for to negotiate with Japanese side.

 CR is short for Child Resistant Safety Mechanism for Lighter and is implemented to protect children from possible harm and to improve the security level of lighters.  

Due to several fires caused by kids playing with lighters, Tokyo Fire Department put in a report on security regarding children’s playing with lighters to Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and Consumption Department. They also suggested making CR regulations which are similar to those in America and Europe. Several meetings have been held since then and a Lighter Group has been established. According to the final decision, from December 27, 2010, CR regulations will be implemented to improve the security level of disposable plastic lighters, grinding wheel lighters and plastic burning torch.  

Experts say that compared with regulations in America and Europe, price is not taken as an element to judge whether lighters are secure. However, there are stricter articles, including ISO9994 as mandatory requirement and limit on gravity value. Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry also appointed Japanese Cultural Products Security Laboratory as an authoritative institution which would give Chinese lighter enterprise permission to enter Japanese market after their examination.  

As a base of lighter production and export, Cixi exports to Japan lighters, which account for one third of the total. CR regulations will surely bring influence on lighter enterprises, which will be a great challenge after implementation of CR regulations in America and Europe.  

Since August of last year, orders for lighter have decreased to the fact Japan wants first consume the remaining lighters in the market, thus resulting in the decrease of export of lighters. Statistics from Customs shows that the value of lighters exported to Japan in the 11 months of last year was only 24.14 million USD, a decrease of 11% over the same period of the year before.  

Lighter enterprises in the city are now taking measures to face the challenge brought up by CR regulations. Xinhai Electric says that the company has been in contact with Japanese side and has almost reached the requirement since they have rich experience in dealing with CR regulations. After the implementation of CR regulations, they will make changes and will invite Japanese Cultural Products Security Laboratory to come to the company to examine their products so that CR regulation will not bring any negative effects on their export.  

The general manage of Donghai Lier International Trade Company says that his company is now improve their management and keep in contact with importers in Japan so that they can win approval and keep their share in Japanese market.