Many people are injured each year as a result of faulty goods and the Environmental Health Department has an important role to play in ensuring the safety of consumer goods on sale in your area.

The primary piece of legislation in place to deal with unsafe goods is the Consumer Protection Act 1987. There are a wide range of regulations in place under this Act which impose safety requirements for a wide range of consumer products including the following:

• Construction Products
• Cosmetics
• Electrical Equipment
• Furniture
• Toys 

Officers from the Department carry out a range of activities and have a wide selection of powers to enforce the Regulations. In addition to being able to examine goods, authorised officers can ensure defective products are removed from sale. Where appropriate goods may also be seized and detained with a view to having them destroyed. A wide range of products are also tested on a routine basis to ensure they meet the relevant safety standards. Testing may be carried out in-house or alternatively products may be sent to an approved test house for further detailed examination.

Product Sales to Children
Regulations are in place to control the sale of products such as cigarettes, lighter refills, solvents and petrol to children. It is illegal to sell the following:

• Cigarettes or petroleum to anyone under 16 years of age
• Solvents or cigarette lighter refills to anyone under 18 years of age (Click here to learn about the dangers of solvent abuse)
• Cigarettes from an open packet

The Environmental Health Department provide guidance and advice to retailers to help them comply with the law. In addition, officers from the Department carry out random test purchasing exercises to identify those traders who choose to ignore the law and advice that they have been given. The Council takes appropriate steps to deal with those traders found to be breaking the law. The maximum penalty for the sale of such goods is 6 months in prison or £5,000.

Contact:
Tim Parks - Environmental Health Officer
Environmental Health Department, Banbridge District Council, The Gatelodge, Linenhall Street, Banbridge, Co. Down BT32 3EG
T: 028 4066 0606
F: 028 4066 0651
E: tim.parks@banbridge.gov.uk