We live in the age of certifications and licenses. Any and all products and services, from hairspray, Cosmetology to Nuclear Safety get rubber-stamped by some organization – private and public. Since the middle nineties, the EU (European Union) has been regulating the European economy – and product certifications can make or break a product offering.

Some background: The EU is a relatively new player in the world economy. It was formed in 1993 when 12 countries in Europe signed the treaty of Maastricht. Although nominally the culmination of an old European idea regarding political unification, maybe it’s most significant definable impact has been on commerce & trade – the creation of a Euro-wide currency and the breaking down of borders with redundant, duties & tariffs creating an efficient, frictionless transactional environment .

As it was, and so it came to pass – due to an alarming number of reports of accidents and mishaps involving kerosene lighter fluid for the igniting of charcoal / briquettes (some of which proved fatal) – that the European Parliament banned the sale and use of kerosene liquid firelighters in the EEA (European Economic Area).

As a result, an entirely new marketplace arose almost overnight, begging for innovative solutions addressing both Climate Change, as well the producing and marketability of an alternative to traditional lighter fluid.

This has led to the preeminence, and distribution of a variety of EN 1860-30 certified, Low-VOC firestarters across two basic categories, 100%Natural Wooden firestarters, and odorless, solidified GTL hydrocarbon firestarters. Based on sales results, European customers are extremely satisfied with the alternative options.