Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Home Electrical Safety, has today written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Business, to express her concerns that consumers are being overlooked.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards will provide advice and support to manufacturers, importers and retailers to ensure they meet their responsibilities to place only safe products on the market, however there is little mention of how consumers will actively be involved.
Carolyn Harris MP said:
“I welcome the Government’s intention to establish a National Office for Product Safety and Standards in response to the Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety report.
“However, the APPG on Home Electrical Safety would like some clarification on whether consumers will be able to report their concerns about product safety directly to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, or if they will be able to access information from this new Office.
“The Government needs to come forward with a proper communications plan for consumers to make them aware of registering their products and about recalls.
“The APPG want to ensure that consumers have a voice as part of the new policy approach.”