Product safety for businesses: A to Z of industry guidance
Find out which regulations apply to your products and where to go for further information on how to comply with them.
Introduction: general product safety law
If you make, import, distribute or sell products in the UK, you need to understand the basics of product safety law.
You must comply with the regulations for specific product types. If none apply, you must comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. To learn more about them visit:
Product safety advice for businesses
General Product Safety Regulations 2005
A to Z of industry guidance
Read OPSS COVID-19 guidance for businesses on:
- the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations
- the manufacture of PPE
- the manufacture of face coverings and face visors
- placing hand cleaning and sanitising products on the UK market
The following links can help you understand which regulations for specific product types apply to your business and how to comply.
While the various regulations still cover the UK following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, their provisions are now applied differently in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Consequently, there is separate guidance for businesses selling products in these areas. This will continue to be the case while the Northern Ireland Protocol is in force.
Placing certain products on the Northern Ireland market
For guidance on regulations relating to:
- food, visit the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
- drugs and medical devices, visit the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- vehicles and vehicle parts and accessories, visit the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVLA)
- workplace products other than those mentioned below, visit the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Aerosols
Guidance on applicable regulations
Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009
Related trade association
British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA)
Construction
Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources
Construction Products Regulations 2013 – guidance from MHCLG
National regulation: construction products
Grenfell Tower
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report on 4 September. The Government is carefully considering its recommendations in detail, to ensure that such a tragedy can never occur again. It has committed to responding in full to all the recommendations within six months.
Read the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report – Grenfell Tower Inquiry website
Related Business Companion guidance
Related trade association
Construction Products Association
Cosmetics
Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources
Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013
Making cosmetic products available to consumers in Great Britain
Access the GB Submit cosmetic product notification service
Cosmetic products: reporting serious undesirable effects (SUEs)
Cosmetic products: exemption process for CMR substances
Related Business Companion guidance
Related trade association
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA)
Dummies
The N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable Substances in Elastomer or Rubber Teats and Dummies (Safety) Regulations 1995 apply.
Electrical and electronic
Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2006 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.
Radio Equipment Regulations 2017
Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 – These regulations were revoked on 26 December 2017 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
The Plugs and Sockets (Safety) etc. Regulations 1994 also apply.
Using button and coin batteries
Related Business Companion guidance
Related trade association
Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA)
Equipment for explosive atmospheres
Guidance on applicable regulations
Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.
Fireworks and pyrotechnics
Guidance on applicable regulations
Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 – These regulations cover fireworks and pyrotechnic articles for vehicles.
Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 – These regulations were revoked on 17 August 2015 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
The Fireworks Act 2003 and Fireworks Regulations 2004 also apply.
Related Business Companion guidance
Storage and supply of fireworks
Related trade association
Food imitations
The Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 apply.
Related Business Companion guidance
Furniture
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 apply.
Related Business Companion guidance
Second hand upholstered furniture
Related trade association
British Furniture Confederation (BFC)
Gas appliances
Guidance on applicable regulations
Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018
Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 – These regulations were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant appliances and fittings placed on the market prior to this date.
Related Business Companion guidance
Second hand gas cooking appliances
Lifts
Guidance on applicable regulations
Lifts Regulations 1997 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Related trade association
Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)
Machinery
Guidance on applicable regulations
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 – These regulations are specific to pesticide application equipment.
Nightwear
The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 apply.
Related Business Companion guidance
Oil heaters
The Oil Heaters (Safety) Regulations 1977 apply.
Outdoor equipment
Guidance on applicable regulations
Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001
Personal protective equipment
Guidance on applicable regulations
Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 – These regulations were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market until 21 April 2019.
Related trade association
British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF)
Pressure equipment
Guidance on applicable regulations
Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016
Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 1991 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Recreational craft
Guidance on applicable regulations
Recreational Craft Regulations 2017
Recreational Craft Regulations 2004 – These regulations were revoked on 3 August 2017 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.
Related Business Companion guidance
Related trade association
Toys
Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources
Using button and coin batteries
Related Business Companion guidance
Related trade association
Updates to this page
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates
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Link added to new guide on the equipment for explosive atmospheres regulations for Northern Ireland, as amended in August 2023.
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Link added to OPSS COVID-19 guidance for businesses on placing hand cleaning and sanitising products on the UK market.
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Link added to guidance on how product safety regulations will change after Brexit.
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First published.