Recommendation 11

Despite the OPSS operating for 20 months and identifying second hand goods as a priority in its strategy, we are disappointed at the lack of progress. So far, this seems to be limited to a scoping project, dialogue with online sellers and reminding them of their responsibilities. This seems reactive and an approach that was exposed as inadequate when recalled second hand Whirlpool tumble dryers started appearing online for sale. We recommend that OPSS work with online marketplace platforms to produce software and protocols which require sellers to provide information that can identify whether an item is recalled as a prerequisite to uploading for sale. The Government should also consider what sanctions might be needed for online platforms who do not adequately police the second-hand goods being sold on their websites. We also recommend that the Government reviews and reports on how second-hand goods sales on the high street are being monitored and what action is being taken when recalled goods are found to be being sold. This should include the recycled goods market, and the role of local councils and others who sell, or who are intermediaries, for such goods.