Consumers have the right to expect that the goods they purchase from you will be safe to use. As a business, you have a legal obligation to ensure that the goods you supply are free from defects which may cause injury to consumers.

The Office of Fair Trading plays an active role in educating businesses and consumers about product safety and has many publications available on safety and standard issues. It also conducts ongoing marketplace surveys to ensure that products continue to meet acceptable standards. It has and will continue to prosecute suppliers who ignore their responsibilities under the Fair Trading Act.

The Fair Trading Act requires that certain goods must comply with safety requirements before they can be sold, and certain information about a product must be supplied with that product when it is sold. You may also need to give further information to consumers on certain types of products such as clothing (for example - care instructions).

Where problems do occur with a product, Fair Trading has powers to remove unsafe goods from sale. This might include recalling dangerous products or a public warning of a particular defect, or even that the product may be dangerous. The Office of Fair Trading can also provide advice on recall procedures.

Safety and product information laws
General products
Electrical products
Gas appliances
Children's products
Product recalls