The Recycler
  • Katun Masthead Nov 2024
  • Ambiente 2025 Masthead
  • G&G Masthead August 2024
  • Biuromax Masthead web banner March 2024

Brexit could cause unsafe product influx

April 16, 2019

Consumer group Which? has warned that the British public may be at risk of unsafe goods if the UK gives up its place in the European safety system.

Without continued access to the European Safety Gate system, dangerous products including electrical goods, cars and toys could enter the UK, says Which?, which is called on the government to “urgently reform” its current safety enforcement system, The Guardian reports.

The European Safety Gate scheme, which involves 31 countries across the continent and allows them to alert each other to products with serious safety problems, saw a 34 percent rise in notifications compared to a decade ago, Which? says.

These include a children’s putty found to be toxic and potentially damaging to users’ reproductive systems, clothing with a risk of strangulation, explosive Honda airbags, a flammable children’s Stormtrooper outfit, and fire-risk HP laptop batteries.

In all, 2018 saw more than 2,000 non-food products flagged as dangerous, compared to 1,542 in 2008. Which? acknowledges that the rise may be partly explained by authorities’ better reporting compared to a decade ago, but stresses that the increase also “highlights the scale of unsafe products that must be tackled.”

“With more products than ever before being declared unsafe, it’s clear that an already failing consumer enforcement system needs a major shake-up to ensure that people aren’t left at risk from dangerous products in their homes” Caroline Normand, Which?’s Director of Advocacy said. “If it is to make people’s safety the number one priority, the government must secure access to the European alert and information sharing systems after Brexit, as well as introduce major domestic reforms to ensure consumers are properly protected from unsafe products.”

Potential actions upon discovering products are dangerous including warnings, recalls, or even seizures at the border.

Discussing the UK’s post-Brexit course of action, Martyn Allen, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said that “if no agreement between all contributing member states is found, the UK may be disconnected from Safety Gate.”

“For consumers, the best way to keep yourself protected from faulty products is to make sure you register any electrical goods you purchase with the manufacturer,” Allen added.

 

Categories : Around the Industry

Tags : Brexit Europe United Kingdom Which

  • Cartridge Web Nov Web Banner
  • GM Technology Nov Web Ad
  • Static Control June 2022 Big & Bold Ad
  • Ink Tank No Web advert
  • Biuromax Nov 2024 Web Ad
  • IR Italiana Web ad January 2021
  • TN Core Nov Web advert
  • G&G web advert October 2024
  • Apex Web ad Nov 2024
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad

The Recycler, Wittas House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, OX28 4BH, United Kingdom | Tel: +44 (0) 1993 899800 | Fax : +44 (0) 1993 226899
©2006-2023 The Recycler - Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy including cookie use

Web design Dorset | Websites by Mark