Office For Product Safety

The UK Government has issued statutory guidelines stating that disposable barbecues should not currently be supplied in stores or online in Great Britain because drought and heatwave conditions make their foreseeable use an unacceptable risk to public safety and the environment. Producers, distributors and online marketplaces must account for the guidance under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, while regulators may require recalls, suspensions, warnings or withdrawals and may pursue prosecution for serious non-compliance. The guidance will be reviewed as weather conditions improve and is strongly recommended for businesses operating in Northern Ireland.

Businesses are instructed to strengthen supply‑chain controls to ensure sand‑containing toys are free of asbestos following recent recalls. The government emphasizes that final product testing alone is insufficient and requires companies to maintain evidence of product safety. Firms must review supply chains, address risks, and withdraw or recall items if asbestos is found. Parents are reassured that authorities will hold businesses accountable, and guidance is provided for both consumers and industry.

Businesses placing sand-containing toys on the UK market must ensure products are safe and free from asbestos, using supply chain controls, documentation, and testing as part of a wider assurance process. Testing alone is insufficient due to sampling limitations, and companies should maintain evidence demonstrating safety. Regulators will continue monitoring compliance, and products must not be supplied if asbestos-free status cannot be assured. Immediate actions such as notification and recalls are required when asbestos is identified.

Newly released data from the UK’s Submit a Cosmetic Products Notification system shows more than 860,000 cosmetic product notifications since its 2020 launch, reflecting ongoing regulatory oversight of product safety. Officials highlighted previous enforcement actions involving banned ingredients and reiterated the system’s role in ensuring compliance across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The data release aligns with a parliamentary inquiry examining how regulation and scientific evidence protect consumers from risks linked to cosmetic products and procedures.