Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
The OPSS is still quite a new regulator with only a £14 million budget for...
Conclusion
The OPSS is still quite a new regulator with only a £14 million budget for product safety operations. The Department told us that it is providing additional funding for goods checking at the border, while the OPSS noted that additional resources and tools would be needed to effectively regulate the scale of products now sold online.36 The OPSS also stressed the importance of having adequate competences to regulate product safety into the future, particularly in areas such as science, engineering and emerging technologies. It pointed to recent work it has undertaken to build its capabilities in these areas, including recently appointing a scientific advisory group and working with academic institutions.37
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5: PAC conclusion: The regulatory system is lacking capacity and skills to meet the challenges it faces. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2022 5.2 OPSS is currently reviewing of the Product Safety framework to ensure it is simple, flexible and fit for the future. It is seeking to ensure the regime and the legislation can keep up with new technologies and changing business models in the future – promoting innovation while continuing to ensure protection for consumers. 5.3 OPSS provided £1.45 million for checks at key UK ports and borders for national product safety risks last year. In addition, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is providing dedicated resource to specifically fund OPSS’ construction products activity. OPSS will continue to work with local authorities, ports and border staff to address national product safety risks. 5.4 Regarding construction products, over 2021 OPSS is primarily focused on developing capacity - creating a knowledgeable team internally; developing robust statutory tools; strengthening local authority capabilities, test houses and standards committees; and working coherently with the Building Safety Regulator. It has also begun work to understand the nature of the sector and where the compliance risks may sit within it, including an assessment of supply chains, variation in producer scale and capability, diffused risks and accountabilities, and issues of competency and culture. 5.5 As the national regulator for construction products, OPSS will continue to support local authorities and Trading Standards with competency and capability assistance as well as funding for their work on product safety.