OPSS Support for LAs Resources

In response to the current high heat event and extended dry spells / droughts and the risk to public safety this involves, the Government has published statutory guidelines made under the General Product Safety Regulations, in relation to the supply of disposable BBQs.OPSS contacted Chief Fire Officers on 14 August 2026 regarding the announcement.

In response to the current high heat event and extended dry spells / droughts and the risk to public safety this involves, the Government has published statutory guidelines made under the General Product Safety Regulations, in relation to the supply of disposable BBQs.OPSS contacted Local Authority Heads of Services on 14 August 2026 regarding the announcement

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Asbestos in Consumer Products; Stay Safe This Summer campaign; Designated standards for PPE and Machinery published; Resource available for borderline cosmetics and aesthetics products
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions and e-learning courses
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Squishy toys guidance for consumers and parents; Asbestos in Consumer Products; Stay Safe This Summer campaign; Consumer awareness funding opportunity
Wider Updates: Publication of OPSS Delivery Report 2025-2026; Building LA capability training sessions and e-learning courses
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority

This email contains information on the following:
Product Safety: Consumer awareness funding opportunity; Launch of fireworks consultation; Stay Safe This Summer campaign
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Asbestos in Consumer Products; Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK consultation; Product Targeting Assessment 2 (PTA 2)
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions and e-learning courses

OPSS hosted an online briefing for Local Authorities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the current updates concering consumer products which have been recalled due to the presence of asbestos in sand. Since February's briefing there have been many updates which can be viewed in the recording below.

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Published Advisory Note – Asbestos in Consumer Products; Live Briefing on Asbestos in Consumer Products; EU Batteries Regulations in Northern Ireland
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions and e-learning courses

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: OPSS Important Update Asbestos in consumer products; Live Briefing – Asbestos in consumer products

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: OPSS Important Update Asbestos in consumer products; Urgent product recall; Consumer awareness funding opportunity
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions and e-learning courses

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Urgent product recall; asbestos in consumer products; launch of toys safety regulations call for evidence
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking primary authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Asbestos in consumer products; Keeping up to date with OPSS’s GOV.UK webpage
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to Note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Machinery regulations update; Advisory Note – Border Targeting Asbestos in Consumer Products; Asbestos in consumer products
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Keeping up to date with Regulators’ Companion content; Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to Note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Joint statement on asbestos in consumer products; Asbestos update; Launch of the OPSS Innovation Product Advice Centre
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Squishy Toys; Asbestos update; Local Authority Roundtable – DBT Product Safety Consultation – Cooperation Duty with Relevant Authorities reminder
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety:
Asbestos update
Product Safety Testing Sampling Protocol 2026-27
Product Safety Database update
OPSS supporting Child Safety Week 2026
Local Authority Roundtable – DBT Product Safety Consultation – Cooperation Duty with Relevant Authorities reminder
Product Safety Framework Reform Consultations – reminder
Primary Authority:
Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates:
Building LA Capability training sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Asbestos in consumer products – Update; Local Authority Roundtable – DBT Product Safety Consultation – Cooperation Duty with Relevant Authorities; Launch of BSI public consultation
Legal Metrology: Calibration Tour
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking primary authority – new opportunities; Businesses seeking primary authority – previously mentioned
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Launch of BSI public consultation
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking primary authority
Wider Updates: Update to Product Safety and Legal Metrology regulations guidance; Building LA capability training sessions 
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Asbestos in sand - new GOV.UK landing page GB only: Notice of publication for designated standards - Machinery and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Remaining sessions for Product Safety Enforcement and Market Surveillance consultation; Update to Notification Guidance for Market Surveillance Authorities
Legal Metrology: Final Reminder - Section 70 request for Weights and Measures returns 2025-26
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking Primary Authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions 
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Important Update: Update to Head of Unit
Product Safety: Testing for asbestos in sand advisory note update; Reminder of round table sessions for Product Safety Enforcement and Market Surveillance consultation
Construction Products: Reminder – Construction Products Reform White Paper and general safety requirement for construction products consultations
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking primary authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions 
Dates to note

This email contains information on the following:

Product Safety: Invitation to consultation Thematic Round Table Sessions; OPSS Summary: Rosary peas; Product Safety Framework Reform Consultations – link to resources from online briefing
Legal Metrology: Request for Section 70 Weights and Measures returns 2025-26
Primary Authority: Businesses seeking primary authority
Wider Updates: Building LA capability training sessions 
Dates to Note