Product safety
Every product imported, manufactured, distributed or sold in the UK must comply with specific legislation to make sure it meets legal requirements before it reaches consumers.
Most products are required to comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
If a product is unsafe or could cause harm to a consumer, a business may face legal action or other penalties.
The Business Companion website provides guidance on product safety legislation and other requirements businesses are expected to follow.
Product recalls
A product recall happens when a product is unsafe or at high risk of becoming unsafe.
A recall means a business may need to retrieve as much of the product as possible from retailers and consumers. The business may offer a refund or fix the fault so the product is safe to use.
If you think a product is unsafe, report this to Citizens Advice and the business that sold the item.
You can view recent product recalls and safety alerts on GOV.UK product safety alerts, reports and recalls