Both Producers and Distributors of Goods can fall under the scope of these safety Regulations.
Producer Obligations
The main obligation on a producer is to supply a safe product. There is an obligation for producers to provide consumers with relevant information to enable them to:
- assess the risk inherent in a product throughout the period of its use (where such risks are not immediately obvious)
- take precautions against those risks
This in essence, means clear, legible durable warnings and instructions.
Producers must also allow for traceability by indicating on the product or its packaging:
- the name and address of the producer
- the product reference or, where applicable, the batch of products to which it belongs
Also, to enable producers to become aware of risks the product they should:
- sample test marketed products
- investigate and if necessary keep a register of complaints concerning the safety of the product
- keep distributors informed of the results of such monitoring where a product presents a risk or may present a risk
The Regulations state that Producers should be proactive, where they discover that a product they are placing on the market or have already supplied poses risks to the consumer and is unsafe, they immediately, in writing, notify their local trading standards. The authorities will advise on actions aimed at removal of the risk and work with Producers on completing the notification.
Risk assessment is a procedure for identifying and assessing hazards, consisting of three steps:
- identify the hazard that is intrinsic and determine how serious it is (injury scenario)
- determine the probability of injury
- combine the hazard with the probability to determine risk
Using the model the resultant risk level may be ‘serious’, ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’
Enforcement action by the authorities
Where producers have not fulfilled their obligations under these Regulations, enforcement authorities have access to a range of measures that can be employed in removing risk to consumer safety. These are known as safety notices. They are only used when voluntary actions have not removed the risk.
Suspension Notices
Where there may have been a breach of the Regulations, these notices temporarily ban the placing on the market or the supply of a product while tests are undertaken and the results are awaited.
Requirement to mark /Requirement to warn
These powers allow an enforcement authority to order the marking of a product with suitable warnings where it could pose risks in certain conditions, or require that specific warnings be given to certain persons considered to be at particular risk from a product (for example, young children, the elderly, etc).
Withdrawal Notices
Enforcement authorities can issue a withdrawal notice to permanently prevent a person from further supplying a product that is believed to be dangerous where it is already on the market (if the voluntary action taken by producers and distributors is insufficient or unsatisfactory).
Recall Notices
Where an enforcement authority has reasonable grounds for believing that a dangerous product has already been made available to consumers and voluntary action falls short of that considered necessary and sufficient to remove the risk, a last resort (that is, no other measure available to the authority will suffice) power to serve a recall notice exists. This will require the person it is served on to take such steps as are identified in the notice to organise the return of the product from consumers.
Forfeiture and Destruction
Where products are dangerous the enforcement authority may apply to the court for an order for their forfeiture and destruction. However, as an alternative to destruction the court may, on condition that any order to pay the costs and expenses of the proceedings is complied with, permit the supply of the product to a person for repair or reconditioning or for scrap.
Distributor Obligations
Different obligations under the GPSR apply to retailers and wholesalers of consumer goods whose actions do not affect the safety of the goods (termed a ‘distributor’ under the Regulations).
GPSR Offences
It is an offence under the GPSR not to fulfil these obligations. Under s20 of the regulations a person, producer or distributor who is convicted of an offence could face up to 12 months imprisonment and up to a £20,000 fine.
Here at Olliers Solicitors we bring experience and understanding in giving advice on how best to handle being prosecuted under this legislation. We will be able to minimise the impact on yourself and your business in a cost effective way.
Need Help? Contact our General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) Lawyers (Manchester & London)
Contact Matthew Claughton or Toby Wilbraham by telephone on 0161 834 1515, by email to matthewclaughton@olliers.com or tobywilbraham@olliers.com or click here to send us a message.
