Product Safety

Description

 

The trading service has the responsibility for ensuring that consumer goods are safe in Barnsley. Activities in this area include premise inspections, regular sampling and testing, and complaint investigation. Areas covered include:-

• sales of age restricted products
• toy safety
• electrical product safety
• vehicle safety
• electric blanket testing

 

Eligibility

 

This service is available to everyone in Barnsley

 

Procedure

 

If you have information about unsafe products, or wish to make a complaint or enquiry, please contact the Regulatory Services Trading Standards Team.

 

Helplines

 

Regulatory Services, Trading Standards Team: 01226 772532

E-mail:tradingstandards@barnsley.gov.uk

Consumer Direct: 08454 040506

 

Charges/Fees

 

There is no charge for this service

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the Customer Can Help

 

If you are complaining about goods you have bought it is important that you keep them secure and do not use them further. Please also retain any documents associated with the goods and records of any injuries that may have been caused.

 

Legislation

 

Consumer Protection Act 1987
Explosives Act 1875 to 1976
General Product Safety Regulations 1994

 

Response Times/Next Steps

We will endeavour to provide an initial response to queries within 3 working days.

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Head of Community Protection and Licensing,
3rd Floor,
Central Offices,
Kendray Street,
Barnsley,
S70 2TN.

 

Additional Notes

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) run the Home Safety Network website which seeks to raise awareness of and prevent accidents in the home.

DTI has produced a Guide to the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which includes a summary of the product liability provisions. The guide is also available for viewing on the DTI website, as is a factsheet on the General Product Safety Regulations 1994. A factsheet on product liability, defective products, and unsafe products is also available from the Department for Trade and Industry website.

Where To Find Advice

If you believe you have purchased an unsafe product or would like further information, contact Consumer Direct. The day to day enforcement of the Regulations is primarily the responsibility of Local Authority Trading Standards Departments in England Scotland and Wales and Local Authority Environmental Health Officers in Northern Ireland.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q What is the purpose of the Consumer Protection Act 1987?

A Part 1 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 imposes strict liability on product producers for harm caused by defective products. This means that where someone is killed or injured, or their property is damaged by a defective product, compensation can be claimed without having to prove the producer negligent, provided it can be proved that the product was defective and the defect caused the injury. Unless you are able to negotiate a settlement with the producer of the product, you will need to bring a civil action in a court of law.

Q What products are covered?

A All products, including food, and goods used in the workplace. Buildings are not covered, but building materials such as bricks are covered.

Q Who is liable?

• The producer.
• A person who holds themself out as being the producer, for example by putting their name or trademark on the product.
• A person who imports the product into a member state of the European Union from outside the European Union in the course of a business.
• The act also states that if any person who supplied a product cannot identify the source, he or she will be liable for the damage. If two or more parties are liable for the same damage, their liability will be joint.

Q Who can sue?

A Any person who suffered as a result of the defective goods can sue, whether they were the initial purchaser or not (ie anyone injured by the goods or anyone whose property was damaged as a result of the defect).

Q When must a person sue?

A Generally speaking, court action must begin within three years of the date of the alleged injury, property loss or damage. The period is extended if the injured person dies.

Q What sort of damage is covered?

A Death, personal injury and damage to private property (provided the amount of loss is over Òã275).

Q Where can I find further information?

A The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) run the Home Safety Network website which seeks to raise awareness of and prevent accidents in the home.

DTI has produced a Guide to the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which includes a summary of the product liability provisions. The guide is also available for viewing on the DTI website, as is a factsheet on the General Product Safety Regulations 1994. A factsheet on product liability, defective products, and unsafe products is also available from the DTI website.

Q Where can consumers find further advice?

A If consumers believe they have purchased an unsafe product or would like further information, they should contact Consumer Direct. The day-to-day enforcement of the Regulations is primarily the responsibility of Local Authority Trading Standards Departments in England Scotland and Wales and Local Authority Environmental Health Officers in Northern Ireland .

You can also complete our online form to report a problem on Unsafe Products

 

Related Links:

• DTI

Last modified on 15/9/2008