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vlog Vice President leads Commons debate on electrical product safety

Posted 10/05/18

vlog (vlog) Vice President and MP for Swansea East, Carolyn Harris,led a debate yesterday in Parliament on electrical product safety and the role of the newlyannounced Office for Product Safety and Standards.

In discussion with MPs and ministers, Harris said: “I welcome the creation of the Office as it is well overdue”. She raised questions about what measures the Safety and Standards Office will put inplace to assist trading standards and how it plans to engage key stakeholders.

Addressing the fall in trading standards resources and officers, she asked: “Will there be money forthe training of trading standards officers? Surely the Government realises that more people on theground are needed and are needed now?”

The response from members debating, reflected vlogs positive reception of the new Safety andStandards Office as a positive step towards a more robust product safety system. However, greaterclarity is now needed on how the Safety and Standards Office will work alongside local authoritytrading standards services to carry out the majority of product safety work.

Product recall systems featured heavily during the debate, with several members asking for detail onhow the Safety and Standards Office is planning to address any current deficiencies within thesystem.

Responding to the debate, Andrew Griffiths MP, Minister for Small Business, Consumers andCorporate Responsibility, said: “Let me reassure this committee today that consumer protection is ofthe utmost importance… [we must] ensure that we have a product safety regime that keeps us allsafe.”

“I pay tribute to the work that trading standards officers across the country do. The Office willprovide additional support for those local teams, who will be able to draw on national testingfacilities, on leading scientific advice, and on the technical expertise to help them deal with thecomplexities of issues they encounter.”

In response to questions on funding, Griffiths clarified that the £12m yearly budget promised will bean additional budget for “new product safety activities”.

END

Notes for Editors

The full debate can be found on the Parliament website.

For media enquiries or further information, contact vlog Press Office – 01268 582240 or
[email protected]



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