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SAFETY
Safety
matters
We invited international textile standards expert Sue Bolton to explain how the current
general product safety legislation applies to products within the printwear and promotions sector.
Sue also has some tips to help you keep on the right side of the law.
W
e all know safety matters and none of us awareness of their rights – the BBC website GPSR, it is all beginning to make more sense.
intentionally sells unsafe products. We all invites consumers to inform them of problem You can get a copy of the GPSR at
recognise that the vulnerable – for services and products, which are investigated and http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051803.htm,
example, children, the elderly and the less able – reported in their programmes. however, the BERR (Department for Business,
are the highest priority. So why all the fuss, some The concept of personal responsibility seems to
would say even paranoia? have gone.
Why should we be concerned about the safety of Bad press on any scale can damage brand
clothing, bags, bracelets, pens, mugs and so on? reputation and lose customers, while losing a case
We have all been wearing them, or using them can also mean a fine or even imprisonment of
since birth (and so have our parents) so these senior employees, payment of compensation and
items are not exactly new, and the vast majority court fees. None of us needs this at any time, least
are safe. So what has changed? of all now.
In short, we all have. Ensuring products comply with legislation is the
As manufacturers, during the credit crunch, we surest defence. But what legislation? There seems
have all been focusing on costs – streamlining so much of it, so where do you start?
processes, moving production to less expensive The overarching legislation for product safety is
locations, reducing inspection levels, cutting back the EU General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)
on factory visits, and so on, and this can impact implemented in the UK as the General Product
product integrity. Safety Regulation (GPSR). First adopted in 1995,
And consumers have changed, although this then revised and strengthened in 2005, GPSR has
change was gathering momentum long before the probably passed most of us by as it all seemed too
credit crunch – and remember, consumers are you complicated and vague, and frankly, in 1995 it
and me. was not clear how to use it.
Today, when things go wrong people tend to look In reality it is important. It is applicable to all
for someone to blame and seek compensation products, sold or hired, and it even includes items
from, possibly through litigation. In fact, we are like the promotional pens given away to
encouraged to do so. Websites, TV adverts even customers. It covers instructions for use or
direct phone adverts via call centres all offer legal cleaning, warnings etc provided with obviously
services on a no win no fee basis offering hazardous items like chainsaws, but also extends
compensation for accidents such as tripping on to everyday items.
the pavement, or injury through unsafe products. Over the last 10 years or so, with the emergence
TV programmes like "Watchdog" fuel the public's of new style European standards to support the
| 44 | September 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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