16 CFR § 1212.3 - Requirements for multi-purpose lighters.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t16/s1212.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "16 CFR § 1212.3 - Requirements for multi-purpose lighters."
title_number: 16
title_name: "Commercial Practices"
section_number: "1212.3"
section_name: "Requirements for multi-purpose lighters."
chapter_name: "CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY ACT REGULATIONS"
part_number: "1212"
part_name: "SAFETY STANDARD FOR MULTI-PURPOSE LIGHTERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
regulatory_source: "64 FR 71872, Dec. 22, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1212"
---


# 1212.3 Requirements for multi-purpose lighters.

(a) A multi-purpose lighter subject to this part 1212 shall be resistant to successful operation by at least 85% of the child-test panel when tested in the manner prescribed by § 1212.4.

(b) The child-resistant mechanism of a multi-purpose lighter subject to this part 1212 must:

(1) Operate safely when used in a normal and convenient manner,

(2) Comply with this § 1212.3 for the reasonably expected life of the lighter,

(3) Not be easy to deactivate or prevent from complying with this § 1212.3.

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, automatically reset when or before the user lets go of the lighter.

(5) The child-resistant mechanism of a multi-purpose lighter subject to this part 1212 that allows hands-free operation must:

(i) Require operation of an additional feature (e.g., lock, switch, etc.) after a flame is achieved before hands-free operation can occur;

(ii) Have a manual mechanism for turning off the flame when the hands-free function is used; and either

(iii) Automatically reset when or before the user lets go of the lighter when the hands-free function is not used; or

(iv) Automatically reset when or before the user lets go of the lighter after turning off the flame when the hands-free feature is used.