Product Safety Resources

An OPSS template letter to assist Trading Standards Officers when writing to a business premises that they believe is not complying with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment legislation.

An OPSS presentation which outlines the environmental impact of button batteries through an explanation of their lifecycle. It also details the environmental regulations covering the acceptable content of Button and Coin Batteries and appropriate packaging, and WEEE regulations concerning takeback scheme requirements.

Single-use vape ban formal warnings note - Letter to be inserted in Local letter template.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has produced its first prototype Product Threat Assessment (PTA).

Notes and Actions taken at the OPSS Product Safety Group on March 6th 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.

Templates and notices for use with Single Use Vape Regulations.

From 1 June 2025, single-use (disposable) vape products will be banned in the UK, as the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations 2024 take effect. This measure aims to reduce plastic waste and promote more sustainable vaping options. It marks a significant step towards environmental responsibility within the vaping industry. This guidance outlines the key aspects of the ban that wholesalers and retailers need to know to ensure their products comply.

Referring safety matters to OPSS.

Meeting notes and actions from the Product Safety Reps Group meeting on 6th December 2024.

Notes and Actions taken at the OPSS Product Safety Group on December 6th 2024.

Guidance for Trading Standards: heated tobacco products

A note on compliance claims on vapes from the Vaping Expert Panel.

(Note: this guidance applies to CURRENT products and will be superseded by the Environment Protection (Single Use Vapes) Regulations which come into effect on the 1st June 2025)

LA e-bike and e-scooter project printable leaflet
LA e-bike and e-scooter project online leaflet
LA e-bike and e-scooter project legislation leaflet
LA e-bike and e-scooter survey return template

This information sheet has been developed by the UK Health Security Agency based on their experiences undertaking safety assessments of consumer laser products that have been provided by the UK Local Authorities, Trading Standards, Border Force, and the Police.

Here are the 18 designated standards that have a restriction or informative note not reflected in the equivalent citation in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Implemented EU measures table

There are approximately 3,500 designated standards. To date, 509 new or amended European harmonised standards have been designated since 1 January 2021. Attached are the 18 designated standards that have a restriction or informative note not reflected in the equivalent citation in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Guidance from the Vaping Expert Panel on what officers should do if they discover vapes containing CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) during enforcement visits.