Product safety for businesses: A to Z of industry guidance
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-01)

Find out which regulations apply to your products and where to go for further information on how to comply with them.

Introduction: general product safety law

If you make, import, distribute or sell products in the UK, you need to understand the basics of product safety law.

You must comply with the regulations for specific product types. If none apply, you must comply with the general product safety regulations. To learn more about them visit:
- Product safety advice for businesses (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-safety-advice-for-businesses)
- General product safety regulations: Great Britain (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-product-safety-regulations-2005)
- General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-product-safety-regulations-northern-ireland)
A to Z of industry guidance

The following links can help you understand which regulations for specific product types apply to your business and how to comply.

While the various regulations cover the UK, their provisions are applied differently in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Consequently, there is separate guidance for businesses selling products in these areas. This will continue to be the case while the Windsor Framework is in place.

Placing certain products on the Northern Ireland market (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/placing-certain-products-on-the-northern-ireland-market)

For guidance on regulations relating to:
- food, visit the Food Standards Agency (https://www.food.gov.uk) (FSA)
- drugs and medical devices, visit the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency) (MHRA)
- vehicles and vehicle parts and accessories, visit the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency) (DVLA)
- workplace products other than those mentioned below, visit the Health and Safety Executive (http://www.hse.gov.uk) (HSE)
Aerosols

Guidance on applicable regulations

Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aerosol-dispensers-regulations-2009)

Related trade association

British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) (https://www.bama.co.uk)

Construction

Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources

Construction Products Regulations 2013 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-in-great-britain) – guidance from MHCLG

National regulation: construction products (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-regulation-construction-products)

Grenfell Tower Inquiry

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report on 4 September 2024. The Government published its response on 26 February 2025 and is acting on all 58 recommendations, to build a more robust and trusted regulatory system to deliver safe, quality homes for everyone. Alongside the response, the Government has published a construction products green paper, which sets out proposals to strengthen the regulation of construction products in the UK, improve the product testing regime, and transform the culture and practices in the construction products industry.

Read the Government response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-report-government-response)

Read the Construction Products Reform Green Paper. (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/construction-products-reform-green-paper)

Related Business Companion guidance

Construction products (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/construction-products)

Related trade association

Construction Products Association (https://www.constructionproducts.org.uk)

Cosmetics

Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources

Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cosmetic-products-enforcement-regulations-2013)

Making cosmetic products available to consumers in Great Britain (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-cosmetic-products-available-to-consumers-in-great-britain)

Access the GB Submit cosmetic product notification service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/submit-a-cosmetic-product-notification)

Cosmetic products: reporting serious undesirable effects (SUEs) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cosmetic-products-reporting-sues)

Cosmetic products: exemption process for CMR substances (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cosmetic-products-exemption-process-for-cmr-substances)

Related Business Companion guidance

Cosmetic products (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/cosmetic-products)

Related trade association

Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) (http://www.ctpa.org.uk)

Dummies

The N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable Substances in Elastomer or Rubber Teats and Dummies (Safety) Regulations 1995 apply.

Electrical and electronic

Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-equipment-safety-regulations-2016)

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electromagnetic-compatibility-regulations-2016)

Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2006 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.

Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radio-equipment-regulations-2017)

Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radio-equipment-regulations-2017)

Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 – These regulations were revoked on 26 December 2017 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

The Plugs and Sockets (Safety) etc. Regulations 1994 also apply.

Statutory guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety for e-bikes (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-guidelines-on-lithium-ion-battery-safety-for-e-bikes)

Using button and coin batteries (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-button-and-coin-batteries)

Laser radiation: safety advice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/laser-radiation-safety-advice/laser-radiation-safety-advice) from the UK Health Security Agency

Related Business Companion guidance

Electrical equipment (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/electrical-equipment)

Second hand electrical goods (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/second-hand-electrical-goods)

Related trade association

Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) (https://www.amdea.org.uk)

Equipment for explosive atmospheres

Guidance on applicable regulations

Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equipment-and-protective-systems-intended-for-use-in-potentially-explosive-atmospheres-regulations-2016)

Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.

Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equipment-and-protective-systems-intended-for-use-in-potentially-explosive-atmospheres-regulations-2016)

Fireworks and pyrotechnics

Guidance on applicable regulations

Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pyrotechnic-articles-safety-regulations-2015) – These regulations cover fireworks and pyrotechnic articles for vehicles.

Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 – These regulations were revoked on 17 August 2015 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

The Fireworks Act 2003 and Fireworks Regulations 2004 also apply.

Related Business Companion guidance

Storage and supply of fireworks (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/storage-and-supply-of-fireworks)

Related trade association

British Fireworks Association (https://www.britishfireworksassociation.co.uk)

Food imitations

The Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 apply.

Related Business Companion guidance

Food imitations (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/food-imitations)

Furniture

Guidance on applicable regulations

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 apply.

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations) – These regulations come into force on 30 October 2025.

Related Business Companion guidance

Upholstered furniture (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/new-upholstered-furniture)

Second hand upholstered furniture (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/second-hand-upholstered-furniture)

Related trade association

British Furniture Confederation (BFC) (http://britishfurnitureconfederation.org.uk)

Gas appliances

Guidance on applicable regulations

Regulation 2016/426 on appliances burning gaseous fuels and the Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gas-appliances-enforcement-regulations-2018)

Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 – These regulations were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant appliances and fittings placed on the market prior to this date.

Related Business Companion guidance

Second hand gas cooking appliances (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/second-hand-gas-cooking-appliances)

Lifts

Guidance on applicable regulations

Lifts Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifts-regulations-2016)

Lifts Regulations 1997 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

Related trade association

Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) (https://www.leia.co.uk)

Machinery

Guidance on applicable regulations

Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supply-of-machinery-safety-regulations-2008)

Nightwear

The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 apply.

Related Business Companion guidance

Nightwear (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/new-nightwear)

Oil heaters

The Oil Heaters (Safety) Regulations 1977 apply.

Outdoor equipment

Guidance on applicable regulations

Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/noise-emission-in-the-environment-by-equipment-for-use-outdoors-regulations-2001)

Personal protective equipment

Guidance on applicable regulations

Regulation 2016/425 on personal protective equipment and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-protective-equipment-enforcement-regulations-2018)

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 – These regulations were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market until 21 April 2019.

Related trade association

British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) (https://www.bsif.co.uk)

Pressure equipment

Guidance on applicable regulations

Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pressure-equipment-safety-regulations-2016)

Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simple-pressure-vessels-regulations-2016)

Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 1991 – These regulations were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.

Recreational craft

Guidance on applicable regulations

Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recreational-craft-regulations-2017)

Recreational Craft Regulations 2004 – These regulations were revoked on 3 August 2017 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.

Related Business Companion guidance

Recreational craft (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/recreational-craft-boats-etc)

Related trade association

British Marine (https://www.britishmarine.co.uk)

Toys

Guidance on applicable regulations and associated resources

Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toys-safety-regulations-2011)

Using button and coin batteries (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-button-and-coin-batteries)

Related Business Companion guidance

Toys (https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/product-safety/toys)

Related trade association

British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) (https://www.btha.co.uk)

Toy Retailers Association (https://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk)