Advice to business - Supplying safe goods

Traders have a duty to supply only safe consumer goods.

Advice and support for consumers in Solihull is provided by Citizens Advice. The Citizens Advice consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Citizens Advice works in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Advice Services offering first level advice and information on a wide range of consumer issues. More complex problems, or complaints requiring further investigation or assistance are referred to Trading Standards or other advice services.

To speak to Citizens Advice, please call 08454 04 05 06. Opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday - Friday (Textphone users should dial 18001 followed by Citizens Advice consumer helpline number 08454 04 05 06)

A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Citizens Advice website at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

What the law says

All consumer goods must be as safe as reasonably possible

Some products are dangerous by nature like power tools. These goods must be made as safe as possible and carry instructions and warnings.

Toys

Toys must carry a CE mark and details of the manufacturer or importer. They must be made to meet certain minimum safety standards. Many toys need an age and safety warning because they could be dangerous for young children.

New and secondhand upholstered furniture

New and secondhand upholstered furniture must be made of materials which resist fire. In most cases the furniture should have a swing ticket showing a lighted match and cigarette, plus a permanent label giving production details.

New and secondhand electrical goods and gas appliances

New and secondhand electrical goods and gas appliances must comply with detailed safety rules. Secondhand items should be tested by a competent person before being offered for sale. All these items must be supplied with full instructions.

Food containers, packaging and utensils

Food containers, packaging and utensils must not transfer substance which could endanger human health or otherwise affect the food. Some of these items need to be marked 'for food use'.

Children's nightdresses, dressing gowns and bath robes

Children's nightdresses, dressing gowns and bath robes must be resistant to fire and therefore need not carry a fire warning label. All other nightwear for children and adults need not be fire resistant and therefore must carry a permanent fire warning.

Cars

All cars on offer for sale must be roadworthy. A current MOT certificate is no guarantee of roadworthiness.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes must not be sold to children under 18. If in doubt seek proof of age. A prominent warning notice about underage sales must also be displayed. See our Advice on Under-age Sales.

Electrical goods

All electrical goods must be safe and electromagnetically compatible

Consumer Protection Act

The Consumer Protection Act allows consumers to sue manufacturers or importers for injury or damage caused by unsafe products. Anyone affected has this right. Consumers do not have to prove negligence. Liability can rest with the producer of the product or of a particular component or both. This action could be taken in addition to any criminal prosecution.

Other products covered by detailed safety rules include:

• Aerosols
• All Terrain Vehicles
• Bicycles
• Bunk Beds
• Ceramics
• Child Resistant Containers
• Construction products
• Cooking Utensils
• Cosmetics
• Farm and Garden Chemicals
• Fireworks
• Food Imitations
• Hood Cords
• Machinery
• Medical Devices
• Pencils
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Plugs and Sockets
• Prams
• Pressure Vessels
• Pushchairs
• Safety Helmets
• Smoke Detectors
• Tyres

How to comply with law

• Always buy from reputable suppliers
• Ensure all relevant products are CE marked
• Look for signs of approval or compliance - Kite Mark, British Standard, BEAB, Lion Mark.
• Make sure products are fully detailed and identified on invoices. keep all invoices.
• Check all products for damage or other obvious safety problems.
• If in doubt speak to the supplier and your Trading Standards officer.

Important

• Any warning and instruction in respect to goods sold loose must be drawn to the attention of the consumer.
• The law applies to both new and secondhand goods.
• Age warnings on toys are safety warnings.
• Check returned goods for damage and instructions if you intend to resell them.
• If you supply goods in response to a specific request, you must ensure that they are safe for that purpose.
• Supply also covers offering or displaying goods for sale or hire and includes free gifts
• Products must comply with all relevant safety regulations, not just a British , European or International Standard.
• Importing unsafe products may result in you having to compensate someone who is injured.

Contact Details

Consumer Advice and Information in Solihull, is now provided by our partners at Citizens Advice. The Citizens Advice consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. If you do need support or assistance from Trading Standards, you will of course be referred to them by Citizens Advice.