Electrical Goods Safety
Every time we buy something we are making a legal contract.
When we buy something, it should be safe and shouldn’t cause you any harm. What are your rights if a electrical product you buy is unsafe?
When we use the word product or goods, we mean the same thing, goods.
The law states
Everything you buy must be
Of satisfactory quality
Fit for purpose and
As described
In practice this means the product must be safe when used in a normal or reasonably foreseeable way. Products must not be faulty; they must match any description given and be fit for the purpose you bought them for.
When deciding whether a product is safe, the following things are considered (all these things apply to new and second hand products):
The characteristics of a product (how it is made, packaging and any instructions for how you put it together)
The effect of the product on other products it is used with
Its labelling, warnings, and any instructions for use and how you throw it away
The types of people using the product, for example is it designed for children?
What if you buy electrical equipment, what can you expect?
When you buy electrical equipment, you can expect that it works, and it is safe to use.
The electrical equipment must:
Be marked with the essential characteristics or in a separate document so that you can use the equipment safely.
Be made in a way that any parts must be made so they can be safely and properly put together and connected.
Make sure all people and any pets are protected against physical harm from the product.
Operate at a safe temperature and protect against electric shock.
Provide adequate protection against hazards caused by other external things.
All electrical equipment must be safety tested and UKCA-marked to show that it meets all required safety rules. You may continue to see CE-marked electrical equipment for sale until December 2022. See examples of what they look like below.
Electrical equipment must carry a label that displays the manufacturer (business who made the product) or importer's name, registered trade name or trade mark and address and some form of product identification. This can include type, batch or serial number.
With all electrical items, they much be sold with clear and understandable instructions and safety information written in English.
Businesses must ensure that the shape and pins of plug-in devices that you would plug in your mains supply, fit to the relevant British standard.
All second-hand electrical equipment that is sold also has to be safe, the business selling it must ensure they are.
What if goods are unsafe…
Stop using the product straight away. Take a photo / video of the product (goods)and make a note of the make, batch, serial or model number. See if you can find any instructions, any packaging and proof of how you bought it.
If you have concerns about a product, you can check the manufacturer (business who made the product goods) (person who made the product goods) 's website for information and view the list of recalls and safety notices on the Chartered Trading Standards Institute website.
If the goods are unsafe, the business is in breach of contract. You have a legal right to seek a solution.
Read our Trained in Two on Goods here
What should I do?
Speak to the business, ask them for what you want. If this does not work, then you would need to email or write to them and include any other information you may have such as photos / videos of the product and information on the make, batch, serial, or model number. See if you can find any instructions, any packaging and proof of how you bought it.
Rules for life
Be polite
Be clear in what you want
Keep a record of all letters and communications
If the business disputes what you are saying, direct them to this website, businesses need to know their rights as well.
For further advice contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133.