Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
The regulatory regime places responsibility on businesses to ensure the products they make and sell...
Conclusion
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 advice and guidance, 24% of businesses are unaware of their product safety responsibilities.14 Evidence submitted by Which? indicated that many companies may find it difficult to understand safety regulations.15 The OPSS acknowledged that business awareness needs to improve. It told us it had conducted unpublished research that found the lowest awareness among smaller firms and businesses in low safety risk sectors. The OPSS also emphasised the importance of local regulation in supporting small and home- based business in their local area.16 7 Q 9 8 Qq 58, 33–35 9 Which? submission, page 4 10 London Fire Brigade submission, page 2 11 C&AG’s Report, para 3.8 12 Qq 18, 33 13 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.9–3.10 14 Q 19, C&AG’s Report, para 10 15 Which? submission, page 2 16 Qq 19, 20 10 Protecting consumers from unsafe products
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2022 2.2 OPSS has conducted a comprehensive survey asking 4,000 consumers about their attitudes and behaviours related to product safety and undertaken consumer safety information campaigns with partners such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Electrical Safety First, Child Accident Prevention Trust and Chartered Trading Standards Institute to raise awareness on safety issues. 2.3 OPSS’ safety campaigns on fireworks, Halloween fancy dress, button batteries, counterfeit products and Christmas campaigns have been very successful. These campaigns reached more than 2 million people over the last year. OPSS has improved reach and accessibility too. 2.4 OPSS runs a Business Reference Panel composed of technical and regulatory leads from 200+ trade organisations and individual businesses representing a diverse range of sectors from food production, hospitality and retail to commercial and consumer product manufacturing. 2.5 OPSS is planning to enhance understanding of consumers and businesses, enabling a more proactive and segmented approach to regulating the system, better protecting people 16 and preventing harm including developing a better understanding of how more vulnerable consumers can be better protected. 2.6 The Committee cited in its Report a survey finding that “24% of businesses remain unaware of their product safety responsibilities.” OPSS would like to clarify that the survey posed the question: “Other than to make sure nobody is harmed, what is the primary reason your business ensures high levels of product safety standards?” to which 24% chose a response option of “not applicable/no responsibility”.