Consumer Protection (Business)

• investigating complaints from consumers
• carrying out inspections
• sampling and testing goods to ensure they meet safety standards
• providing advice and support to businesses

The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply to all products (new and second-hand) used by consumers.  The legal requirements are the same whether goods are supplied from a premises, home, stall or online platform.

The General Product Safety Regulations Guide is designed to help businesses comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, as they apply in NI.  It applies to businesses placing products not covered by other specific legislation on the market in Northern Ireland. It sets out the requirements that must be met before products can be placed on the market. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that consumer products are safe before they can be placed on the market in NI. This is done by requiring producers to ensure that consumer products meet the general safety requirement.

Certain products have specific legislation.  The links below provide information on some of these areas;

• Cosmetic Products
• Electrical Products
• Toys
• Construction Products
• Further information on specific product safety requirements can be found in the following guide Product Safety for Businesses: A to Z of industry guidance

The links below may also help provide information on your product safety requirements:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-safety-advice-for-businesses
https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety

Guidance on the regulation of e-cigarettes can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products 

MHRA is the competent authority for the notification scheme for e-cigarettes and refill containers in the UK.  The following link may be useful.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/licensing-procedure-for-electronic-cigarettes-as-medicines

Northern Ireland Protocol Business Guidance

While the Northern Ireland Protocol is in force, Northern Ireland will align with relevant EU rules relating to the placing on the market of manufactured goods. Products placed on the NI market must therefore follow UK law as it applies to NI.

If you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Trader Support Service will guide you through any changes that have been implemented due to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Further information and guidance on EU Exit can be found at the following links;

• Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland
• UK product safety and metrology
• Placing Products on the Northern Ireland Market
• Business EU Exit Information
• Using the UKNI Marking
• Product compliance when placing certain goods on the Northern Ireland market
• Product Safety for Businesses: A to Z of industry guidance

PAS 7050:2022 Bringing safe products to market
PAS 7100:2022 Product recall and other corrective actions

The UK’s product safety regulator, the Office of Product Safety and Standards has been working with consumers and businesses to support the development of a Code of Practice that will help businesses understand their responsibilities to supply safe products to consumers.

PAS 7050:2022, Bringing safe products to market is intended for businesses to assist you in ensuring that only safe products reach the consumer.

PAS 7100:2022 Product recall and other corrective actions has been reviewed and this Code of Practice will support your business in preparing for and dealing with a product recall or other corrective action.  New guidance has also been produced on how to notify products that pose a risk to health and safety and/or are non-compliant.  This guidance sits alongside PAS 7100:2022.

These documents can be downloaded for free via the below links –
PAS 7050:2022 | 31 Mar 2022 | BSI Shop (bsigroup.com)
PAS 7100:2022 | 31 Mar 2022 | BSI Shop (bsigroup.com)
Business notifications of unsafe and noncompliant products – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Useful links

• Trading Standards
• Consumer Rights
• Department for Business Innovation & Skills
• European Commission Product Safety