Protecting consumers from unsafe products

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 8 Jun 2021 Closed: 14 Dec 2021 Parliament page
The Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) was created in 2018 to regulate the safety of consumer products and goods - other than food - at a national level. Set up as an agency of the Business department (BEIS), OPSS works with other organisations to protect consumers from harm, … Read more
6 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 4 events
14 Dec
2021
Report published
30 Sep
2021
Report published
10 Sep
2021
Correspondence
1 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
1 Jul 2021
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Protecting consumers from unsafe products
Graham Russell · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Jaee Samant · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Sarah Munby · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Nineteenth Report - Protecting consumers from unsafe products HC 180 30 Sep 2021 24 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
24 results
2 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS has struggled to reach some businesses and consumers to prevent harm being caused...
The OPSS has struggled to reach some businesses and consumers to prevent harm being caused by unsafe products. Businesses are responsible for ensuring that the products they make and sell are safe. The OPSS and local regulators therefore rely on … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation that OPSS should develop a detailed plan for communicating with industry and consumers, including vulnerable groups, with a target implementation date of Spring 2022.
HM Treasury
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
There is insufficient coordination between the OPSS, local authorities and other parts of government.
There is insufficient coordination between the OPSS, local authorities and other parts of government. The OPSS works with a range of organisations to protect consumers from unsafe products, but the regulatory system is not well coordinated. The OPSS does not … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to work towards better coordination of the regulatory system, outlining OPSS's support for Trading Standards through national capabilities, funding, and the development of a new apprenticeship, while continuing to inform central government discussions on workforce sustainability.
HM Treasury
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
Gaps in the regulatory framework make it harder to protect consumers from new risks presented...
Gaps in the regulatory framework make it harder to protect consumers from new risks presented by online marketplaces and emerging technologies. People increasingly purchase goods online, including through online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy which are now used … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and commits that OPSS will write to the Committee within six months to detail progress on its product safety review and how it will address regulatory gaps. It highlights ongoing work including research into emerging technologies and an expanded online investigation capability.
HM Treasury
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The regulatory system is lacking capacity and skills to meet the challenges it faces.
The regulatory system is lacking capacity and skills to meet the challenges it faces. Regulators need enough resources and the right mix of capabilities to be effective. Local authority Trading Standards services are a key element of the regime, as … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that OPSS is currently reviewing the product safety framework with a target implementation date of Spring 2022. It highlights existing funding for border checks and construction product regulation, and commits to continuing to support local authorities.
HM Treasury
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The government has not yet set out a clear vision and detailed plan for the...
The government has not yet set out a clear vision and detailed plan for the future of UK product safety regulation. As well as ensuring there are the right skills and resources in place, it is also important for government … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating that OPSS is creating a detailed regulatory strategy for UK product safety and standards, due for publication in Spring 2022, and will update the Committee on its progress by 30 March 2022.
HM Treasury
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1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (the Department), including its Office for Product Safety and Standards (the OPSS), on product safety regulation … Read more
Government Response
The Government acknowledges the committee's introductory statement about taking evidence and confirms this document serves as its response to the report.
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
However, data and intelligence are essential resources for regulators to identify emerging risks more quickly...
However, data and intelligence are essential resources for regulators to identify emerging risks more quickly and decide what action to take in response. The OPSS described to us some useful data sources, such as its cosmetics database and fire and … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and commits the OPSS to writing to the Committee within six months to detail progress made on its data strategy and the NHS data-sharing pilot, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2022.
HM Treasury
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8 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS’s lack of data has slowed its response to some serious areas of harm,...
The OPSS’s lack of data has slowed its response to some serious areas of harm, such as small, high-powered magnets that led to 40 paediatric admissions in the UK in 2020 alone. Issues with these magnets have been reported for … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and commits the OPSS to writing to the Committee within six months to detail progress on its data strategy and the NHS data-sharing pilot, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2022.
HM Treasury
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The regulatory regime places responsibility on businesses to ensure the products they make and sell...
The regulatory regime places responsibility on businesses to ensure the products they make and sell are safe. The OPSS therefore relies on influencing businesses to follow regulations and prevent harm being caused by unsafe products. Despite the OPSS’s work issuing … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, outlining existing consumer safety campaigns, a Business Reference Panel, and plans to enhance understanding of consumers and businesses. It also clarifies the 24% statistic on business awareness.
HM Treasury
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10 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS also aims to communicate with consumers, directly and indirectly through other organisations, to...
The OPSS also aims to communicate with consumers, directly and indirectly through other organisations, to encourage them to avoid buying unsafe goods and use products correctly. It has produced consumer safety campaigns on specific products, such as fireworks and Halloween … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, highlighting successful past and ongoing consumer safety campaigns and a comprehensive consumer survey, and states it is planning to enhance understanding of consumers and businesses for a more proactive approach.
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The London Fire Brigade told us that low-income households may face higher product safety risks,...
The London Fire Brigade told us that low-income households may face higher product safety risks, as they are more likely to purchase cheaper or counterfeit products.20 The OPSS said it aims to ensure that all products sold in the UK … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion and plans to enhance its understanding of consumers and businesses by Spring 2022. This includes developing a more proactive approach to better protect vulnerable consumers from product safety risks.
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12 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS works with a range of organisations to protect consumers from unsafe products.
The OPSS works with a range of organisations to protect consumers from unsafe products. For example, it provides expertise and support to local Trading Standards services and works with the British Standards Institution to help develop internationally- recognised product standards.22 Read more
Government Response
The government details that OPSS runs a Business Reference Panel composed of over 200 trade organisations and individual businesses, as an example of its collaborative work to protect consumers.
HM Treasury
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13 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
There is a gap in the coordination between local and national regulation.
There is a gap in the coordination between local and national regulation. The OPSS does not have a full picture of investigation and enforcement activity undertaken by local Trading Standards services, and is therefore unable to align its work with … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion that there is insufficient coordination and commits to addressing this by Spring 2022. OPSS is clarifying its offer to Trading Standards and provides funding and support to local authorities for product safety regulation.
HM Treasury
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14 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
Responding to the key challenges the regulatory system faces requires collaboration with other government departments.
Responding to the key challenges the regulatory system faces requires collaboration with other government departments. For example, the Department told us of its engagement with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding cyber- security threats in products that … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, detailing its existing funding and support for National Trading Standards and Trading Standards Scotland, as well as OPSS's support for local services, and commits to continuing to inform central government discussions on their effectiveness.
HM Treasury
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15 Conclusion
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
Written evidence from Which?
Written evidence from Which? highlighted the increasing importance of international cooperation to support product safety in the UK, particularly in relation to information sharing and enforcement cooperation. Which? suggested that this be achieved through trade negotiations and international organisations such … Read more
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The products consumers buy, and the way they buy them, are changing quickly.
The products consumers buy, and the way they buy them, are changing quickly. For example, internet sales as a proportion of total retail sales in the UK jumped from 27% in 2020 to 36% today—while this jump was likely related … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's broader conclusion on regulatory gaps, stating that OPSS has conducted research, initiated a major review of the product safety system, and is developing strategies to address new risks from online marketplaces and emerging technologies.
HM Treasury
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17 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS explained that, under current legislation, online marketplaces are not responsible for the safety...
The OPSS explained that, under current legislation, online marketplaces are not responsible for the safety of products sold by third parties on their platforms. This responsibility remains with the individual product sellers, who may be small home sellers or businesses … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion regarding gaps in the regulatory framework for online marketplaces and states that OPSS is expanding its online investigation capabilities and establishing more robust approaches for third-party sellers outside the UK, with a target implementation date of Spring 2022.
HM Treasury
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18 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS estimated that 15% of products bought for the home now include ‘smart’ technology.
The OPSS estimated that 15% of products bought for the home now include ‘smart’ technology. Products that are connected to the internet create new product safety risks, such as cyber-security risks in the example of a baby monitor which could … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's broader conclusion on regulatory gaps, stating that OPSS has conducted research and initiated a major review of the product safety system, and is developing strategies to address new risks from emerging technologies and online marketplaces.
HM Treasury
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The regulatory system for product safety is facing multiple new challenges that it will need...
The regulatory system for product safety is facing multiple new challenges that it will need the skills and resources to be able to respond to. For example: the OPSS and Trading Standards services will need to give greater consideration to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the conclusion that the regulatory system needs to meet new challenges, stating that the OPSS is currently reviewing the product safety framework to ensure it is flexible and fit for the future, particularly regarding new technologies.
HM Treasury
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS is still quite a new regulator with only a £14 million budget for...
The OPSS is still quite a new regulator with only a £14 million budget for product safety operations. The Department told us that it is providing additional funding for goods checking at the border, while the OPSS noted that additional … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that the regulatory system lacks capacity and skills, outlining its ongoing review of the product safety framework, provision of £1.45 million for border checks, dedicated funding for construction product activity, and efforts to develop internal capacity and support local authorities.
HM Treasury
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
Local authority Trading Standards services have experienced significant resourcing challenges, including a 39% real-terms reduction...
Local authority Trading Standards services have experienced significant resourcing challenges, including a 39% real-terms reduction in funding in the past 10 years. The OPSS told us that services’ funding varies enormously throughout the UK, as some Trading Standards are very … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the fundamental role of Trading Standards and details existing support including £12 million funding to National Trading Standards and £1.25 million to Trading Standards Scotland, alongside capability building and national coordination efforts, and states OPSS will continue to inform central government discussions on maintaining service effectiveness.
HM Treasury
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
As well as having the right skills and resources to address current and future challenges,...
As well as having the right skills and resources to address current and future challenges, it is important for government to have a clear strategy to ensure the overall regulatory regime is and remains fit for purpose. The OPSS will … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states that OPSS is creating a detailed regulatory strategy for UK product safety and standards, due for publication in Spring 2022, and will update the Committee on progress by 30 March 2022.
HM Treasury
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23 Conclusion Accepted
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
The OPSS’s review of the product safety regime, which it recently consulted on, is an...
The OPSS’s review of the product safety regime, which it recently consulted on, is an opportunity for it and the Department to set a clear vision and strategy for the future of the regulatory regime. The recent call for evidence … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states that OPSS will detail progress on its plan for UK product safety regulation within six months of the PAC report, aiming for Spring 2022 implementation. It describes ongoing work including a regulatory strategy and expanded online investigation capabilities.
HM Treasury
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24 Conclusion Acknowledged
Nineteenth Report - Protecting con…
There is also a question over the status and governance of the OPSS, and whether...
There is also a question over the status and governance of the OPSS, and whether it could be more effective with its own independent duties and powers. It was originally set up as an office within the Department, rather than … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's recommendation to re-examine the OPSS's governance and independence, stating that OPSS will detail progress on its future product safety regulation plan within six months and is committed to transparency and accountability.
HM Treasury
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 6 classified
Accepted 16
Acknowledged 7
Total 6 recs + 18 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
10 Sep 2021 Correspondence from Graham Russell, Chief Executive, Office for Product Safety and Standards, dated Protecting consumers from unsafe products, dated 27 July 2021
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