Trading standards - product safety
The Trading Standards Service tries to make
sure people are protected from risk or injury arising from the
supply of unsafe goods. The safety provisions of the Consumer
Protection Act and the General Product Safety Regulations cover
almost all consumer goods.
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.
There has 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.