Resources

Notes and Actions taken at the OPSS Product Safety Group on 26 June 2025. Please note that it is not formal DBT or OPSS guidance. Only the court of law can make a final decision on the interpretation of law and regulations.

A smoke alarm is a self-contained safety device designed to detect the presence of smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. It consists of a smoke sensor and an audible alarm. When smoke is detected, the alarm sounds to alert occupants, giving them time to escape or take action. There are different types of alarm e.g. battery powered, mains-powered, and some types can be interconnected. Within residential buildings UK Building Regulations mandate at least one smoke alarm on every storey with habitable rooms. This PIP provides information on terminology, the manufacturing process, applicable standards, CE/UKCA marking, labelling, electromagnetic compatibility and Declaration of Performance (DOP).

Float glass is a type of flat glass produced by floating molten glass on a bath of molten tin. This process results in glass with uniform thickness, flatness, and high optical clarity. Float glass is fundamental to modern construction, serving as the base material for many architectural and industrial applications in in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings for fixed and operable windows, skylights, shopfronts, and curtain wall systems. This PIP provides information on terminology, the manufacturing process, applicable standards, CE/UKCA marking, labelling and Declaration of Performance (DOP).

Plywood is a composite, engineered wood product made by stacking and gluing together thin layers (called "plies") of wood veneer.  Plywood can be made from softwood (e.g., pine, cedar, redwood) or hardwood (e.g., maple, oak, mahogany), or a blend of both. The choice of wood and glue affects the final product’s properties. There are various types, including marine plywood (waterproof, for wet conditions), fire-retardant plywood, moisture-resistant plywood, and decorative plywood for aesthetic applications. Plywood is one of the most popular and versatile building materials in construction, used for both structural and non-structural applications. This PIP provides information on terminology, the manufacturing process, applicable standards, CE/UKCA marking, labelling and Declaration of Performance (DOP).

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is one of the most widely used types of cement in the construction industry valued for its strength, versatility and reliability. OPC is the primary binding material in concrete, mortar, and plaster. The product is used for building foundations, slabs, walls, bridges, and many other uses in building and civil engineering. This PIP provides information on terminology, the manufacturing process, applicable standards, health risks, CE/UKCA marking, labelling and Declaration of Performance (DOP).

A recording of and slides used during OPSS's Quarterly Live Briefing on Thursday 4 December 2025.

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Urgent Safety Notice: Action Required for Haier Heat Pump Tumble Dryers; Baby sleep pillow Product Safety Alert; E-bike and e-scooter resources in other languages; Product Safety and consumers research report – Wave 9 harms and detriment
Primary Authority: Primary Authority Register Update – Multi-user accounts; Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Dates to Note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Urgent Safety Notice: Action Required for Haier Heat Pump Tumble Dryers; Baby sleep pillow Product Safety Alert; E-bike and e-scooter resources in other languages
Primary Authority: Primary Authority Register update - Multi-user accounts; Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA Capability Training Sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Quarterly Live Briefing: Quarterly Live Briefing LA feedback questionnaire
Product Safety: OPSS online marketplaces campaign; OPSS publishes online marketplace research; Product Safety Testing Sampling Protocol Programme: April 2024 – March 2025 Report
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:
Quarterly Live Briefing: Joining instructions
Product Safety: OPSS launches new online product safety campaign
Construction Products: Enquiry form added to Regulators’ Companion; Designated standards notices published; OPSS Product Recalls and Alerts
Legal Metrology: Weights and Measures: national and EEC stamp numbers
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Dates to note

Terms of reference outlining the purpose, membership, responsibilities and function of the TEP.

This email contains information on the following:

Quarterly Live Briefing: Save the Date
Product Safety: OPSS product safety campaigns forward look; British Standards Online - training offer
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: DBT Local Authority deep dive sessions in England
Dates to Note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Publication of button battery safety literature review; Product Safety research collection; reminder: British Standards Online - training offer
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: DBT Local Authority deep dive sessions in England
Dates to Note

CFO Email sent to FRS on 30 October 2025.

Heads of Service email sent to LAs on 30 October 2025.

Heads of Service Email sent to LAs on 6 November 2025.

OPSS offers Local Authorities access to internal OPSS expertise; including technical, scientific and risk associated with construction products.

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: E-bike battery safety funding opportunity; Product Safety Database Notifications, Reporting and Data Quality webinar recordings; proposal to amend designated standards; OPSS firework safety campaign
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building Local Authority Capability training in November; Regulators’ Companion Student Hub
Dates to Note

Resource page for OPSS's Quarterly Live Briefing which was held on Thursday 11 September 2025.

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: British Standards Online - training offer; OPSS fireworks safety campaign reminder; reminder of Product Safety Database (PSD) update; OPSS-funded Product Safety Database local authority officer training
Primary Authority: ‘Being a Local Authority in Primary Authority – What’s your role?’ recording available; businesses seeking primary authority
Dates to Note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Launch of OPSS Firework Safety campaign; OPSS-funded Product Safety Database local authority officer training; reminder: British Standards Online - training offer
Legal Metrology: Guidance: UK national certificates for level gauging systems
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building Local Authority Capability training in November; open consultation reminder – high-caffeine energy drinks sale ban to children; keeping up to date with OPSS developments
Dates to note