Product Safety

All products sold to consumers must be safe.

Some products such as toys, electrical goods, cosmetics and furniture have very detailed safety rules that must be followed by manufacturers, importers and retailers. Even products used by consumers in hotel rooms are covered.

We inspect, sample and test consumer products such as toys, children's clothes etc. to check for any hazards and assess risks. This helps to make sure only safe products are sold. Second hand goods as well as in the case of new goods are also controlled and should also be safe.

When safety issues occur a product recall notice may be issued for the return to the supplier of a batch or an entire production run of the goods.

Responsible manufacturers and distributors publish details in the national press and retailers in their own stores. Use the associated links to find out details of recent product recalls in the UK and what issues come up in Europe and internationally.

If you or a child has been injured by a product then please report the incident to us. Obviously do not continue to use the product and where possible please retain it and any associated packaging, instructions for use etc. as they may be required for examining/testing by Trading Standards.

General Product Safety Regulations

Regulation 9 (Producer/Distributor) notifications

This is an obligation on producers and distributors to notify Local Authorities when they become aware that a product they have placed on the market is unsafe, and it is likely that initially many producers and distributors will be unaware of this obligation.

A separate guide for producers is being produced for this purpose and will be available on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) website.

Please click here to view the guidance.

Product Recalls

To view the current list of products that have been recalled, please click here

The Manufacture & Storage of Explosives Regulation 2005
The Fireworks Regulation 2004

The above regulations have been introduced that make important changes to the law on the sale, supply and possession of fireworks. The main changes are:

The offence of selling fireworks to someone under the age of 18 has been altered to remove the defence that the customer looked 18 or older, it is now a matter of fact – if the customer is under18 and you sell fireworks to them you will commit an offence. It is most important for your own
Protection to ask for proof of age.
All suppliers/sellers of fireworks must display a notice of A3 size with Character size 16mm stating:

IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL FIREWORKS TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TO POSSESS FIREWORKS IN A PUBLIC PLACE

From 1st January 2005 it became illegal to sell fireworks outside of the following periods, unless you have been granted a special licence by the Trading Standards Service at a cost of £500.

Chinese New Year and the proceeding 3 days

Diwali and the proceeding 3 days.

Between 15th October and 10th November

Between 26th and 31st December

To sell fireworks during the above periods you will require a registration under The Manufacturer & Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.

Explosives Fees 2011/2012

New Storage Licence under Regulation 10 = £178.00
Renewal (Storage) = £83.00
New Registration under Regulation 11 = £105.00
Renewal (Registration) = £52.00
Varying, transferring or replacing a licence = £35.00
Fireworks Licence under Regulation 9 (licence to sell fireworks outside prescribed periods in Manufacture and Storage of explosives Regulations 2005) = £500.00

Guidance leaflets and materials are also available for organisers of firework displays for the public, retailers selling fireworks, schools and the media, including the firework safety code.

Poisons Register

Retailers who sell products which contain Part II Poisons are required to register with their Local Authority.

Trader	Address
B&Q Warehouse	Dodnor Lane, Newport
Harwoods	The Square, Yarmouth
W.Hurst & Son Ltd	33 Holyrood Street, Newport 17-18 High Street, Cowes 26-27 Union Street, Ryde 4 High Street, Ventnor 9 School Green Road, Freshwater 8 Regent Street, Shanklin
SCATS Country Stores	Southbank, Blackwater Road, Newport
Merstone Manor Farm	Arreton
Builder Centre	Manners View, Newport College Farm Industrial Estate, Sandown
Parkwater Distribution Ltd	Parkwater Farm, Forest Road, Newport
Trumor Feeds	Parkwater Farm, Forest Road, Newport
Pecks Ltd	Long Lane, Newport
Sydenhams Ltd	Forest Road, Newport Nicholson Road, Ryde
Wight Discount Stores	91 High Street, Sandown