Retail & Consumer Goods

Ensure product safety compliance for retailers

Product safety compliance checklist for retailers. Covers supplier vetting, safety marking verification, recall procedures, OPSS reporting, and preparation for the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must ensure products you sell are safe. Check supplier credentials, verify safety markings, and keep records. Report unsafe products to Trading Standards immediately. Fines for non-compliance are unlimited.

  • Only sell products that are safe
  • Check suppliers have test certificates and product documentation
  • Verify correct safety markings (UKCA or CE)
  • Keep records of suppliers and safety checks for 10 years
  • Train staff to identify unsafe products
  • Monitor safety alerts and recalls from OPSS
  • Have a written product recall procedure
  • Report unsafe products to Trading Standards immediately
  • Prepare for new Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025
  • Penalties include unlimited fines and up to 12 months imprisonment
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in Consumer Rights

Use this checklist to verify your product safety arrangements meet current legal requirements. Retailers are responsible for ensuring products they sell are safe, even if they did not manufacture them. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) enforces product safety law and can seize unsafe products, issue fines of up to £20,000 under the GPSR 2005, and prosecute retailers (some sector-specific product regulations carry unlimited fines).

  1. 1

    All suppliers are authorised distributors or verified manufacturers

  2. 2

    Supplier contracts include product safety and compliance obligations

  3. 3

    Test certificates and conformity declarations obtained for each product line

  4. 4

    Supplier audit or questionnaire completed within last 12 months

  5. 5

    Import documentation verified for goods sourced from outside the UK

  1. 1

    Products carry valid conformity marking where the product category requires it — CE marking continues to be accepted on the GB market, with UKCA as an alternative

  2. 2

    Product labelling includes manufacturer or importer name and address

  3. 3

    Traceability information (batch numbers, serial numbers) recorded

  4. 4

    Age warnings and safety instructions present where required

  5. 5

    Testing certificates held on file and accessible for inspection

  1. 1

    Written product recall procedure in place

  2. 2

    Designated person responsible for product safety within the business

  3. 3

    System for monitoring OPSS product recall alerts

  4. 4

    Customer contact records sufficient to notify affected buyers

  5. 5

    Process for removing recalled products from sale immediately

  6. 6

    Template notification letter or email ready for recall situations

  1. 1

    Purchase records identify each supplier for every product line

  2. 2

    Records retained for minimum 10 years (for product liability claims)

  3. 3

    Stock rotation system prevents sale of recalled or expired products

  4. 4

    Customer sales records enable contact if recall is needed

Preparing for the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025

The PRMA 2025 is an enabling Act that will update the UK product safety framework through secondary legislation. While detailed regulations are pending, retailers should prepare for new obligations, particularly around online marketplace duties and supply chain traceability.

  1. 1

    Monitoring OPSS announcements for secondary legislation commencement dates

  2. 2

    If selling via online marketplaces, reviewing platform compliance duties

  3. 3

    Supply chain documentation supports full product traceability

  4. 4

    UKCA and CE marking status reviewed for all product categories

If you answered 'no' to any items in the supplier vetting or recall procedures sections, address these as a priority. Selling unsafe products is a criminal offence with fines of up to £20,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment under the GPSR 2005.

Official product safety guidance