With the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and the General Product Safety Regulations 1994, there has been an increase in the provision for safety of consumer goods. The Trading Standards service has an important role in supporting and advising businesses, as well as cracking down on unsafe products and unscrupulous traders.

Where a potentially dangerous product is identified a Safety Warning requiring it's removal from sale in all shops may be issued.

There have been a number of regulations made under the Consumer Protection Act to legislate on particular types of goods such as:

• The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
• The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 Implementing Council Directive 88/378/EEC.
• The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
• The Plugs and Sockets Etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.
• The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995.
• The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazard) (Safety) Regulations 1987.
• The Cosmetic Product (Safety) Regulations 1989.

and many more.

European Legislation

The increase in European directives being enacted by UK regulations, for example Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 1992, has also meant a wider role for Trading Standards Officers, and an important role also in supporting and advising businesses, as well as cracking down on unsafe products and unscrupulous traders.

UK Regulations which implement EU 100A directives are becoming an important area of trading standards responsibility. The Regulations deal with a very wide and varied range of products and attempt to reduce the barriers to trade through 'Essential Safety Requirements'.

Some examples of the regulations already implemented:

• Medical Devices Regulations 1994.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 1992.
• Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992.
• Supply of Machinery Regulations 1992.
• Simple Pressure Vessels Regulations 1991.

To ensure that all consumer products supplied to the public are safe. A general safety requirement applies to all consumer products whilst specific regulations are imposed on products including toys, cosmetics, furniture, electrical and part-worn tyres.

Further information

• European legislation
• Safety Warnings
• Trading Standards Central
• Trading Standards Central (Product Safety Recalls)
• Selling Safe Part-worn Tyres ( TSC ) 
• Consumer & Product Safety ( BERR )
• General Product Safety Regulations (GPS) ( BERR )
• Child Products Safety Regulations ( BERR )
• Toy Safety Regulations ( BERR )
• Cosmetics Regulations ( BERR )
• Flammability Regulations ( BERR )
• Disposable Lighters and Child-appealing Novelty Lighters ( BERR )
• Product Recall ( BERR )
• Unsafe Product Notification ( BERR )

For further information contact Trading Standards or you can complete our online request for service form.