Responding to the Government’s announcement to establish a new Office for Product Safety and Standards, Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First commented:
“Electrical Safety First is pleased that Government has recognised the urgent need to establish a new body responsible for product safety. The consistently high number of fires caused by faulty electrical appliances is evidence that the current system has failed consumers and needs improvement.
The Charity would be keen to work with the new Office for Product Safety and Standards on ensuring that the UK’s product safety regime works as effectively as possible. We strongly recommend establishing a centrally managed product recall database, which would allow consumers to check that the appliances they’re using are safe. Given the low success rate of product recalls, and that only 10-20% of faulty goods are ever returned or repaired, there are potentially millions of dangerous electrical goods still in people’s homes.
We have been raising awareness of the safety issues presented by dangerous recalled electrical goods for some time now. So we welcome the new Office and hope it will lead to some much-needed improvements. Without an effective and properly resourced recall system, consumers are being put at risk and business brands and reputations can be badly affected.”
ENDS