Regulator profile
OPSS
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Enforcement Regulator3 areas of regulation · 51 official guidance documents · 82 laws enforced · UK-wide
What OPSS does
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance authorities. Part of the Department for Business and Trade.
Additional information
Key for electronics and hardware manufacturers. Oversees UKCA marking transition and product safety for online marketplaces.
Contact OPSS
Types of regulation
Consumer Protection
Product Safety
Ukca Marking
Official guidance from OPSS
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
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Office for Product Safety and Standards
Detailed Guidance
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Product safety advice for businesses
Detailed Guidance
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Product recalls and alerts
Detailed Guidance
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UK Timber Regulation guidance
Detailed Guidance
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General Product Safety Regulations 2005 - detailed guidance
Publication
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EU GPSR guidance for Northern Ireland (GOV.UK)
Publication
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OPSS: Reporting product safety issues
Detailed Guidance
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Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls
Detailed Guidance
Legal framework
Legislation that OPSS directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- Weights and Measures Act 1985 Act 1985
- Consumer Protection Act 1987 Act 1987
- Climate Change Act 2008 Act 2008
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 Act 2015
- Building Safety Act 2022 Act 2022
- PSTIA 2022 Act 2022
- Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 Act 2025
Secondary legislation
- Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 UK Statutory Instrument 1988
- Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 UK Statutory Instrument 1989
- The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 UK Statutory Instrument 1992
- The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 UK Statutory Instrument 2001
- General Product Safety Regulations 2005 UK Statutory Instrument 2005
- Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 UK Statutory Instrument 2008
- Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 UK Statutory Instrument 2008
- Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
- Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
- The Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2010 UK Statutory Instrument 2010
- ... and 65 more statutory instruments
Other publications
2 additional documents from OPSS.
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Regulations: noise emissions from outdoor equipment
Published 1 April 2015
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Regulations; timber and FLEGT licenses
Published 2 April 2014
Sectors regulated
Retail
Manufacturing
Coverage area
UK-wide