Product Safety
As part of our varied role, we have to ensure that all new and
second hand goods offered for sale are safe.
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, we
have the responsibility for inspecting goods for safety at
manufacturing, importing and retail stage. Products are
inspected at manufacturing and retail premises in the county
borough and a programme of sampling takes place each year. The
products sampled are purchased locally and sent to specialist test
houses to be tested for compliance with the appropriate legislation
or safety standard.
Accurate labelling of goods is needed to
ensure that products are used correctly and by appropriate age
groups. We give special attention to products aimed at
children and electrical equipment.
BIS
The BIS
web sites contain information on Consumer and Product Safety
policy issues including the laws and regulations that apply
including Product Safety and Product Recall Regulations.
This area gives information on general product safety
regulations - the safety rules that, generally, apply to all
products; and specific product regulations - the safety rules that
apply to specific products. It also has information about product
recall and the new rules on notification of unsafe products.
The specific product regulations include those dealing with
chemicals, child products, cosmetics, fireworks, and furniture and
clothing flammability.
Product Recalls
Want to know if a product is safe? For some advice on what
products to avoid and up to date legislation see the information
below.