Product safety and liability

Sector-specific product safety regulations

Quick reference for the main sector-specific product safety regulations in Great Britain. Covers toys, electrical equipment, cosmetics, furniture, personal protective equipment, and machinery, with the key requirements, marking obligations, and enforcement bodies for each regime.

UK-wide
Guide summary

Check which product safety rules apply to your goods. You must follow specific rules for toys, electrical equipment, cosmetics, furniture, PPE, and machinery. Each has different safety standards and marking requirements. Keep records to prove your products meet the law.

  • Check which regulations apply to your products
  • Follow specific safety standards for each type of product
  • Use correct UKCA or CE markings where required
  • Keep technical documentation for inspection
  • Age warnings required for toys under 36 months
  • Electrical equipment must protect against shocks
  • Cosmetics need safety assessments by qualified person
  • Furniture must pass fire resistance tests
  • PPE categories determine certification process
  • Trading Standards enforces with fines for non-compliance
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in General Compliance

Sector-specific product safety regulations apply in addition to the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and Consumer Protection Act 1987. Where a sector-specific regime covers a product, it takes precedence over the general safety framework for the matters it addresses. Use this reference to identify which regulations apply to the products you manufacture, import, or supply.

For the overarching product safety framework, see Understanding UK product safety law. For risk assessment procedures, see Carry out a product safety risk assessment.

Toys

Electrical equipment

Cosmetics

Upholstered furniture

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Machinery

Northern Ireland: EU rules apply

Other regulated product categories

The regulations listed above are the most commonly applicable. Many other product categories have their own sector-specific safety requirements, including:

  • Medical devices: Medical Devices Regulations 2002 — regulated by MHRA
  • Construction products: Construction Products Regulation 2011 — regulated by OPSS
  • Gas appliances: Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 — regulated by OPSS and HSE
  • Pressure equipment: Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 — regulated by HSE
  • Radio and telecommunications equipment: Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 — regulated by Ofcom
  • Recreational craft: Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 — regulated by OPSS
  • Pyrotechnics: Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 — regulated by OPSS

If your product is not covered by a named sector-specific regime, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply as the baseline. Use the OPSS product safety finder on GOV.UK to check whether a specific regulation applies to your product category.

OPSS product safety guidance for businesses (opens in a new tab)

Sector-specific regulations and official guidance