Product Safety
General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSRs)
These Regulations came into force in the UK on 1st October 2005. They implement EU Directive 2001/95/EC and, with some exceptions, will apply to all new and second-hand products used by consumers.
There are exceptions where there is existing legislation which gives similar cover to particular types of products, for example toys. In those cases, the existing legislation will take precedence where they are similar to the GPSRs. There are also some exceptions to the cover for second-hand products.
The GPSRs maintain a general duty on producers and distributors to place on the market (or supply) only products that are safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
Unsafe Product Notification Procedures
The GPSRs introduce three duties for notifying unsafe products. Two of these apply to local authorities. The third is a general duty placed on producers and distributors to notify the local authority when they become aware that they have placed on the market, or distributed, an unsafe product.
Guidance
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), formerly the DTI, has issued detailed guidance on the GPSRs for businesses, consumers and enforcement authorities.
BERR guidance document (pdf)
You can read the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 here.
Product safety
The following guidance pages are provided by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI). Click on the links below for further information.
Selling safe second-hand electrical goods
Selling safe toys
Selling safe second-hand furniture
Low voltage electrical equipment
Safety of goods for landlords and letting agencies in rented accommodation
Cigarette Lighter Refills and Solvents - A Guide for Retailers
Nickel in Jewellery
Selling New and Second-hand Prams and Pushchairs
Ornamental and Novelty Giftware - A Guide for Retailers
The Safety of Consumer Goods
Age Restricted Products
Sale of knives
Sale of spray paint
Sale of mini-motos, quad bikes, etc.
