OPSS enforcement actions 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024
Updated 19 February 2024
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The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the UK’s product regulator is part of the Department for Business and Trade, and exercises the powers of the Secretary of State in relation to a range of regulations. Our approach to addressing non-compliance by those we regulate, and potential product safety risks, is set out in our Enforcement Policy. This also sets out the approach we take to publishing details of enforcement actions.
The enforcement actions listed below were taken by OPSS during the 6-month period between 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024. Further Enforcement Actions taken during this time will be added periodically. Actions are grouped under the following headings: Ecodesign, Energy Labelling, Product Safety, and Timber.
Ecodesign – August 2024
Business: CVS ENERGY LTD t/a Clearview Stoves
Action taken:
Compliance Notice dated 21 August 2024, served under Regulation 13(b) and Schedule 5, para 2(1)(a) of the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010.
Products:
- Pioneer 400 Stove
- Pioneer 400P Stove
- Solution 400 Stove
- Vision Inset Deep Stove
- Pioneer Oven Stove with Oven & Hotplate
- Vision 500 Stove with Hotplate
- Solution 500 Stove
- Solution 500SB Stove with integrated Boiler
- Clearview 650 Stove with Hotplate
- Clearview 750 Stove with Hotplate
Breached regulation details:
Regulation 14(1) of Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010.
Detail:
The manufacturer failed to make all relevant technical information and documentation including Declarations of Conformity for the above products, available for inspection by OPSS.
Energy Labelling - August 2024
Business: CVS ENERGY LTD t/a Clearview Stoves
Action taken:
Compliance Notice dated 21 August 2024, served under Regulation 6(d) and Schedule 4, paras 1 and 3 of the Energy Information Regulations 2011.
Products:
- Pioneer 400 Stove
- Pioneer 400P Stove
- Solution 400 Stove
- Vision Inset Deep Stove
- Pioneer Oven Stove with Oven & Hotplate
- Vision 500 Stove with Hotplate
- Solution 500 Stove
- Solution 500SB Stove with Integrated Boiler
- Clearview 650 Stove with Hotplate
- Clearview 750 Stove with Hotplate
Breached regulation details:
Regulation 11(1)(b) of the Energy Information Regulations 2011.
Detail:
The manufacturer failed to make all relevant technical information and documentation including Energy Labels for the above products, available for inspection by OPSS.
Product Safety – June 2024
Trader: DALJINDER SINGH BAINS, of Number One Batteries Limited, and Infinity Power Holdings Limited
Action taken:
Prosecution on 21 June 2024 (Sentenced)
On 18 January 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to the offence of engaging in commercial practices which contravened the requirements of professional diligence that materially distorted or were likely to materially distort the economic behaviour of the average consumer.
Luton Crown Court imposed a sentence of 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, a director disqualification order for 2 years, a deprivation order for the batteries seized during the investigation and allowed a costs order in the sum of £40,000.
Products:
- Probat 12 volt leisure battery, model SFL 140
- Probat 12 volt automotive battery, model 072
- Probat 12 volt automotive battery, model 335
- Probat 12 volt automotive battery, model 005
- Probat 12 volt automotive battery, model 068
Breached regulation details:
Regulation 8 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
Detail:
Between 13 April 2019 and 18 August 2022 Daljinder Singh Bains, as a trader, knowingly or recklessly engaged in commercial practices which contravened the requirements of professional diligence that materially distorted or was likely to materially distort the economic behaviour of the average consumer.
A joint investigation into the above products, conducted by Luton Borough Council and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, found that Mr Bains was the director of 2 limited companies importing lead acid batteries from Turkey and engaging in a practice of re-branding and labelling batteries with inaccurate performance ratings. These batteries were sold online through a website and online platform (eBay).
In addition, the safety risks of the batteries sold as well as operating instructions were not provided to the consumer. Misleading and false claims were also made in respect of warranties, delivery times and being the main agent for reputable brands.