The newly formed Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) has embarked upon its commitment to improve product safety by introducing the first government-backed Code of Practice for product safety recalls – PAS7100.

The Code of Practice (the Code) aims to provide producers and distributors with clearer guidance on how to prepare for and deal with product safety issues, and we would advise producers and manufacturers to review their product recall arrangements in line with PAS7100. The Code is split into two parts: the first is intended for manufacturers, importers and distributors; the second is intended for regulators. The Code includes guidance on how to plan for a recall; how to undertake a risk assessment; how to manage a possible recall or other corrective action; how to set up processes to monitor product safety; what businesses should do when investigating a potential product safety issue; and how to review/ develop corrective action plans. It also guides regulators in relation to monitoring incidents, analysing data, supporting businesses and responding to a failure to take proper action.

The Code deals with non-food consumer products and focuses on corrective actions that should be taken on the discovery of an unsafe product. The principle instruction is clear: every business should create and implement a product safety incident plan (PSIP). A successful PSIP will consider product safety issues before they arise and be ready for use at the outset of a safety concern.