Consumer safety

Product safety

We are responsible for checking consumer products are safe when sold, distributed, supplied or manufactured in Belfast. A product is unsafe if there's a risk of injury when you use the product and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Whether you buy from a shop, a stall, online or someone's home, all products including secondhand goods must comply with safety standards.

What you should look for when buying products

It's important to:

• only buy goods from a reputable supplier
• examine goods for safety symbols or signs for example BEAB approval, Kite mark, CE mark, cigarette or match resistant labels
• read all warnings carefully and follow operating instructions
• keep receipts as proof of purchase
• only use goods or equipment for the intended purpose

For advice on staying safe when buying goods, go to Consumer product safety: advice for staying safe (link opens in a new window).

Complaining about unsafe products

To protect the public from unsafe products, we can:

• inspect businesses
• provide advice and support to businesses
• do product safety sampling
• investigate consumer complaints about unsafe goods

If you bought a product and think it is unsafe, contact us by environmentalhealthservice@belfastcity.gov.uk  or call us on 028 9027 0428 and we will investigate your complaint.

Counterfeit goods and faulty goods

If your query or complaint is about counterfeit goods, faulty goods or false or misleading product descriptions, you should contact Consumerline (link opens in new window) in Trading Standards Service.

They can also give advice on consumer rights on refunds, repairs or replacing goods.

Product recalls and safety notices

To check product recalls and safety notices issued by traders, go to the product recalls and safety notices (link opens in a new window)

You can register to get recall information or safety notices for products you own.

Register my appliance (link opens in a new window)

Product safety standards for businesses

Manufacturers and businesses can check product safety standards and conformity marks for different industry sectors:

• Product safety for businesses: A to Z of industry guidance (link opens in a new window)
• Using the UKNI marking (link opens in a new window)
• Conformity assessment and accreditation (link opens in a new window)
• Moving goods into, out of or through Northern Ireland (link opens in a new window)
• Moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol (link opens in a new window)
• Guidance for exporting and importing businesses

Businesses trading products in the Northern Ireland market must comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005: Northern Ireland (link opens in a new window).

Businesses trading toy products in Northern Ireland and UK markets must comply with the Toy Safety Regulations 2011 (link opens in a new window).

Getting information on product safety

If you would like more information, contact us by email environmentalhealthservice@belfastcity.gov.uk  or call us on 028 9027 0428.