OPSS community funding for product safety
Information and application forms for organisations seeking to deliver community-based and consumer-focused product safety awareness and education activity.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has responsibility for protecting people from product-related harm and ensuring consumers can buy products with confidence.
To help keep consumers safe, we are inviting organisations to bid to deliver community-based and consumer-focused product safety awareness and education activity.
Bid for funding
If you would like to apply for funding, please complete the relevant bid form, which contains information about how bids are assessed and our expectations.
Bids will be considered for projects valued under £10,000 that reach OPSS by Friday 6 December 2024, for activity delivered by 31 March 2025.
Any organisations can apply, and we welcome bids from voluntary groups, smaller charities, community groups and those looking to partner with the third sector.
This year we are funding two distinct product safety themes:
Theme 1: Product safety community awareness
We welcome proposals to deliver community-based consumer awareness and educational activity which addresses the risks and issues experienced by consumers in relation to product safety (including how they buy and use products).
Theme 2: Risk of fires associated with e-bikes, e-scooters, conversion kits, their batteries and chargers
We welcome proposals to deliver community-based consumer awareness and educational activity which addresses the fire safety risks experienced by consumers in relation to buying and charging e-bikes, e-scooters, conversion kits, their batteries and chargers. Note that we are not funding road safety proposals.
Activity we will fund
We will fund activity that:
- improves consumer awareness about how to choose and use products safely
- provides product safety education or advice
- empowers consumers to take action to protect themselves and others from product-related harm
- falls within our remit
We cannot fund bids about food, chemicals, medical products or vehicles.
Read further information about OPSS.
We are especially interested in funding proposals that focus on activities targeted at those who could be deemed to be more at risk of product harm, due to (but not limited to):
- age
- socio-economic circumstance (e.g. they are on a low income which impacts how they buy and continue to use products)
- having additional literacy needs such as English as an additional language
- low digital skills or being digitally excluded
- a medical condition or disability
Where possible, we encourage learning and assets created through the project to be shared, allowing maximum reach. There is the option to use current OPSS campaign materials as part of the proposed activity.
Reporting
Successful bidders will need to submit a report to receive payment, including:
- a summary of the project objective and success criteria
- details of the approach taken and how this was designed to meet objectives
- the reach and impact of the work
We can consider part payment in arrears for tangible activities delivered before the end of the reporting period. Bidders should highlight what those activities are and include a draft payment schedule.
Previous examples
To help you with your application, these are some examples of work we have funded previously:
- Kent County Council’s ‘Teacher in Your Pocket’ scheme was designed to reach disabled people, older people, and those digitally excluded. Through this project, family, friends or carers can use their own phones to share educational video content on a one-to-one basis.
- Consumer Friend developed social media and a podcast to educate consumers on the potential harm of teeth whitening products and things to consider before buying, targeted specifically at young people.
- The Lullaby Trust ran a social media campaign focused on empowering carers of young babies to make safer choices for where their baby sleeps. An easy-read card and an animated video were created, aimed at those with additional literacy needs.
- East Renfrewshire’s ‘Child Safety in the Home’ campaign delivered home safety visits and talks to groups and families of new-born babies in the area, as well as workshops in local libraries.
Submit your bid
Please submit your bid using the online form:
- Access the form for Theme 1: Product safety community awareness – Microsoft Forms
- Access the form for Theme 2: Risk of fires associated with e-bikes, e-scooters, conversion kits, their batteries and chargers – Microsoft Forms
Or return as an attachment to OPSSconsumer@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
All bids must be submitted by 6 December.
Organisations that have not previously received OPSS funding for consumer awareness activity will only be eligible to submit one bid this financial year.
If you have any questions, please contact OPSSconsumer@businessandtrade.gov.uk.