Many people are injured each year as a result of faulty goods. The Environmental Health Department has an important role to play in ensuring the safety of consumer goods on sale in this area.
Officers from the Department have a wide range of powers to enforce consumer safety legislation. The main pieces of legislation are:
- The Consumer Protection Act 1987
- The General Product Safety Regulations 2005
Part of our role is to visit suppliers and inform them about laws that apply to their products. Officers also test a wide range of consumer goods on a routine basis to ensure they meet the relevant safety standards. Testing may be carried out in-house or alternatively products may be sent to an approved test house for further examination.
Complaints
We also investigate complaints about the safety of goods purchased by consumers.
If you have bought a product, which you feel is unsafe, you can contact us and we will investigate your complaint.
Any action taken as a result of your complaint will relate to the safety of the product only – we do not get involved in issues relating to refunds or compensation.
Links
Consumer Advice Northern Ireland
http://www.consumerline.org/
http://www.citizensadvice.co.uk/
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
http://www.berr.gov.uk/
Office of Public Sector Information
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
The Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011
Consumers Guidance
Manufacturers Guidance
Retailers Distribution Guidance
Importers Guidance