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
8 results
Clear
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.
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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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
HM Treasury
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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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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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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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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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