Product Safety

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 premises, home, a stall, or via online platforms. 

What we do: the role of the Council Environmental Health team 

Local councils have enforcement responsibilities for safety-related issues with Consumer Goods, helping to 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. 

Useful Websites 

Sector specific guidance on a range of products can be found at the Government's Product Safety for Businesses A-Z of Industry Guidance page. 

You can also look at the Government's Product Safety Advice for Business, or the Business Companion's Product Safety page, as well as Product safety | nibusinessinfo.co.uk 

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) carries information about product alerts and recalls: 

• Office for Product Safety and Standards - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• UK Safety Alert issued for small high-powered magnetic products - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

E-Cigarettes/Vapes 

Guidance on the regulation of e-cigarettes can be found at the Government's E-cigarettes regulations page. 

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the competent authority for the notification scheme for e-cigarettes and refill containers in the UK. Read more about the licensing procedure for electronic cigarettes as medicines. 

Cosmetic Products 

Northern Ireland aligns with all relevant EU rules relating to the placing on the market of manufactured goods.  This includes EU Regulations on Cosmetic Products. The guide for businesses placing cosmetic products on the market in Northern Ireland from 1st January 2021 which can be downloaded from Regulation 2009/1223 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013: Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you also place goods on the GB market you must follow the rules for the GB market - separate guidance can be downloaded from Regulation 2009/1223 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013: Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you manufacture or import Cosmetics Products for sale in GB, you will also need to add your products to the UK's Submit a Cosmetic Product Notification Portal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) in addition to the EU Cosmetics Products Notification Portal (europa.eu) for products sold in NI.  

Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products is continuously reviewed and amended. Manufacturers are obliged to be aware of these changes and should check these regulations regularly to make sure the products they supply are compliant.  In some cases, these new amendments may vary between EU and GB Regulations.  

A useful resource to find the legislation and to check for amendments to the regulations can be found on The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association website: UK Cosmetics Regulations and Amendments (ctpa.org.uk) 

Construction Products 

Guidance for Construction Products can be found on the gov.uk website. 

For further information on the new Building Safety Bill visit Construction Products Regulatory Framework: Factsheet. 

Second Hand Goods 

If you sell, auction or give away for free as part of a prize, second hand or pre-loved products, you must ensure they are safe. 

It is an offence to supply products that are unsafe, and sellers may be committing a criminal offence and could be prosecuted. If a person is injured by unsafe goods that you have sold, they may be able to claim compensation through the courts.  

NI Councils have developed a "Second-hand goods safety advice pack (PDF, 2 MB) (opens new window)", within which you will find checklists to assist in identifying possible product safety issues. These are basic summaries of the checks you should complete when selling second-hand goods. This poster (PDF, 256 KB) (opens new window) can also be displayed in store. If you would like an Electrical Safety First Plug Checkers, please contact the Consumer Protection Team. 

Contact us 

If you would like further information, please contact your local Environmental Health office: 

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

Other useful links 

The role of Trading Standards is to promote and maintain fair trading, protect consumers and help reputable businesses to thrive in Northern Ireland. For information on Trading Standards issues, visit the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service. 

The Consumer Council provide free independent support and advice for all consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. They also have the powers to investigate complaints about energy, water, transport and postal services. For General Consumer queries, visit the Consumer Council website.