Consumer Safety

Product Safety Advice for Consumers 

Many people are injured each year due to faulty consumer goods.  Product safety involves ensuring all goods on sale to the public are safe for their intended use.  The responsibility to supply safe consumer goods applies all the way down from the manufacturer to the retailer. This means, that products being sold should comply with any relevant legislation.   

Legal requirements are the same whether you supply goods from a business premises, home, a stall or via online platforms. 

What we do 

Local councils have enforcement responsibilities for safety-related issues with Consumer Goods. The Council helps protect consumers against unsafe goods.  

We will: 

• Respond to consumer complaints. 
• Carry out programmed inspections of premises to ensure goods on sale are safe. 
• Provide advice to suppliers about legislation. 
• Sample consumer goods to ensure they meet required standards of safety. 

Contact us 

If you would like to make a complaint regarding an unsafe consumer product, please contact the Environmental Health Product Safety Team: 

Telephone: 0300 013 3333 
Email: consumerprotection@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 

Explore the sections below for more consumer safety information and advice:  

Appliance Safety: Repairs or Recalls

You can register old and new household appliances, making sure that you never miss out on appliance safety repairs or recalls. Register your appliance at registermyappliance.org.uk

Whirlpool Product Recall: read more at Whirlpool-Home

Safety Leaflets from Office for Product Safety and Standards

Download the Blind Cords Safety Leaflet  (PDF, 639 KB) (opens new window)

Download the Button Batteries Leaflet  (PDF, 665 KB) (opens new window)

Download the Christmas Toy Safety Leaflet  (PDF, 545 KB) (opens new window)

Download the E-cigarette batteries Leaflet  (PDF, 333 KB) (opens new window)

Download the Fireworks Leaflet  (PDF, 1 MB) (opens new window)

Download the Halloween Leaflet  (PDF, 154 KB) (opens new window)

Download the Stay Safe this Summer Leaflet  (PDF, 653 KB) (opens new window)

Product Recalls and Safety Notices

Product Recalls and Safety Notices are issued by businesses alerting the public to products that have problems which could affect the safety of consumers. Find out more, including the latest alerts, on the Trading Standards website: tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/product-recalls-and-safety-notices

Cosmetic Treatments

Interested in cosmetic treatments? Read this first: Are you thinking of having a cosmetic treatment? - Ards and North Down Borough Council

Teeth Whitening consumer advice can be found at Tooth whitening | nidirect 

Safe use of portable heaters and generators

During colder months and during periods of poor weather, many people turn to portable heaters for extra warmth. When used safely, they can be a great source of comfort, but they can also pose serious risks if not used safely.

Keep Warm, Stay Safe: make sure you use these appliances correctly by following these essential safety tips: Portable heaters and generators: keep warm, stay safe! - Ards and North Down Borough Council

Other Useful links

The role of Trading Standards is to promote and maintain fair trading, protect consumers, and help reputable businesses to thrive in NI.  

For information on Trading Standards issues, visit Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service | Department for the Economy (economy-ni.gov.uk)

The Consumer Council provide free independent support and advice for all consumers and businesses in N.I.  They also have the powers to investigate complaints about energy, water, transport and postal services.  

For General Consumer queries visit the Consumer Council website (consumercouncil.org.uk)