Resources

A framework for how regulators should engage with those they regulate.

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.

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

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.

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.

The OPSS Construction Products Business Compliance Team (BCT) have released four Product Information Packs (PIPs) as a resource to help Trading Standards, EHNI and other Product Regulators understand Construction Products. These resources, aimed at boosting confidence and competence for regulatory work, are the first step in creating a library of construction-specific resources for Regulators’ Companion.

Float glass is a type of flat glass produced by floating molten glass on a bath of molten tin, resulting in glass with uniform thickness, flatness, and high optical clarity. Widely used in windows, skylights, shopfronts and curtain wall systems, it is a fundamental construction product. The updated PIP provides information on terminology, manufacturing, standards, CE/UKCA marking, labelling and Declarations of Performance (DOP), and includes new clarification on the scope of regulated float glass products, related standards, and the use of commodity codes.

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.

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

Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) guidance for inspectors and manufacturers of weights and measures equipment.

Euramet guidance on calibrating of non-automatic weighing instruments.

International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) international vocabulary for metrology.

National Physical Laboratory (NPL) best practice guide on improving measurement understanding.

International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) advice on harmonising and improving legal metrology work.

European Commission updated 'Blue Guide' on the implementation of directives based on the new approach and the global approach.

European Cooperation in Legal Metrology (WELMEC) advice for manufacturers and notified bodies on what the organisation considers as best practice.

International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) guidelines for the application of certain requirements to legal metrology.

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

Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) guidance on the local authority notified body protocol.

OPSS guidance for conformity assessment bodies (CABs) certifying for the GB and NI market.