New standards support businesses and regulators to place safe products on the UK market
BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, publishes two new standards to enable businesses and regulators to bring safe products to the UK market. These standards will support the The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and other product specific safety regulations, which require that new and used consumer products placed on the market in the UK are safe.
Businesses across the supply chain are responsible for the safety of products, depending on the role of the economic operator. The regulations set out their duties to:
- place only safe products on the market, supported by information on their correct use;
- warn consumers about potential product-related risks;
- monitor the safety of products;
- inform the relevant regulator if a safety issue is identified (where appropriate); and
- take effective corrective action where necessary.
The new standard, PAS 7050:2022, Bringing safe products to the market – Code of practice, supports businesses and regulators in complying with these relevant duties. It provides a set of recommendations, guidelines and examples of good practice, with a particular focus on the preparation of a product safety management plan (PSMP).
Publishing at the same time is the revision of PAS 7100:2022, Product recall and other corrective actions – Code of practice. This standard supports businesses in preparing for and dealing with product recall or other corrective action and focuses on the development of a product safety incident plan (PSIP), which forms part of a PSMP. The revision incorporates changes regarding UK exit from the European Union, alignment with PAS 7050 and new sections for online marketplaces and repair and refurbishment.
Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards, BSI, said: “In our role as the UK National Standards Body, we are very pleased to publish these important consensus standards that will help to protect UK customers from unsafe products and drive confidence in the marketplace. Together the two standards provide practical guidance for businesses and regulators to put appropriate systems in place for safe and responsible trade.”
Paul Scully MP, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour, Markets and Minister for London, said: “All consumers should feel confident in the safety of the products they buy and in businesses’ ability to deal with issues if they do arise.
“These two new Standards from BSI, sponsored by government, will help businesses and regulators to have the right plans in place to produce safe goods and react quickly and effectively if something does go wrong.”
Both standards are sponsored by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
