Consumer Protection

Consumer Safety

Many people are injured every year by unsafe goods. The Consumer Protection division of the Environmental Health Department has an important role in protecting consumers against the supply of dangerous goods which are intended for private use. All products offered for sale must comply with any relevant legislation or safety standard applicable to that product.

The main piece of legislation is the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Regulations have been made under this Act which imposes safety requirements on a range of consumer goods for example:

  • Electrical Equipment
  • Cosmetics
  • Toys
  • Furniture
  • Pushchairs
  • Bicycles
  • Construction Products
  • Motor Vehicle Tyres
  • Gas Appliances
  • Hood Cords

Information on some of the above products is contained in the Dont Chance it! booklet.

This document is very informative if you own your own business. You can download this booklet free by clicking here, or can contact us to receive a copy.

The General Product Safety Regulations impose a general duty on suppliers to ensure that all products, including second hand goods, supplied for private use are reasonably safe. These Regulations have resulted from a European Directive. The general trend with consumer safety legislation is towards harmonizing standards for consumer goods throughout Europe to allow free movement of goods.

What do we do to ensure unsafe goods are not on sale?

  • Carry out inspections of premises in the district to assess product safety
  • Sample and test the safety of suspect products- either tested in-house or sent to approved test houses for examination
  • Investigate consumer complaints relating to unsafe products
  • Remove unsafe goods from sale and destroy them
  • Provide information and advice to the public, retailers, suppliers and manufacturers within the district.
  • Instigate legal action against those who supply unsafe goods

What should you look for when buying goods?

  • Only buy goods from reputable suppliers/shops
  • Examine goods to see if there are any safety symbols i.e. Kitemark or Lionmark.
  • CE marks will be on some consumer goods i.e. toys and electrical products, however such a mark does not confirm safety
  • Do not purchase any broken or damaged products
  • Only use products for the purpose which they are intended
  • Read all warnings carefully and follow operating instructions
  • Keep receipts as proof of purchase

 

Complaints

 

If you have concerns over the safety of a product, you can contact us and we will investigate your complaint. The complaint may take several months to complete. Any action taken will relate to the safety of the product only – we do not get involved in issues relating to refunds or compensation. Complaints of this nature may be discussed with your local Citizen’s Advice or solicitor.

Complaints about counterfeit goods or goods with misleading descriptions will be dealt with by Trading Standards telephone number 028 66 343222.

Useful Contacts

Citizens Advice Bureau - www.citizensadvice.co.uk

Trading Standards Department - www.detini.gov.uk

Department for Business and Regulatory Reform - www.berr.gov.uk

Office of Fair Trading - www.oft.gov.uk

Consumer Line NI (Tel: 0845 6006262) - www.consumerline.org

Rospa - www.rospa.co.uk