Trading Standards

Product Safety

At present, product safety is arguably one of the most important areas of responsibilities for the Trading Standards service.

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

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 European Union 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

Further information and useful websites

If you would like more information we recommend visiting the following websites.

Office of Public Sector Information
Provides full text of Acts of Parliament from 1988, plus access to Inforoute, the Government's Information Asset Register
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Defra works for the essentials of life - water, food, air, land, people, animals and plants
Trading Standards Central
A one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. Provides information for businesses and consumers
HM Customs and Excise
Provides information and advice for the public and for businesses
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading is designed with 2 purposes: to protect consumers and explain their rights; and to ensure that businesses compete and operate fairly
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Working with businesses, employees and consumers to drive up UK productivity and competitiveness to deliver prosperity for all
Food Standards Agency
An independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the publics health and consumer interests in relation to food

Contact

Business Support Team

Environmental and Enforcement Services

Roycraft House

15 Linton Road

Barking

IG11 8HE

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3007

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.