Consumer Protection

Brian Russell

Testing

• Quantitative Test (measurable)

• Qualitative Testing (opinions)

• Sensory Testing (opinions)

Testing During Production

• Testing Prototypes• Consumer trials• Testing properties of materials• Testing during production• Quality Control• Quality Assurance • Sensory testing

Fair testing

• Tests need to be done under very strict guidelines to ensure every one is the same

Comparative testing

• Ensure the criteria is the same for each product

• Ensure you understand what the products were meant to do

Regulations - guidance

• There are many Regulatory Bodies• Many of these are set up by manufacturing

groups, (FIRA Furniture Industry Research Association, British Glass Federation)

• They provide guidance for manufacturers and designers.

Regulations - guidance

• Trade associations – join us follow our rules

• They provide clear guidance for manufacturers and designers and undertake their own testing.

BEABApproved

Independent testers

• Independent bodies test many products before they are put on sale

• Work closely with BSI to develop new tests and highlight potential problems

Legislation – the Law

• The Trade Descriptions Act. (false claims)• The Weights and Measures Act. (accurate size,

weight, quantity)• The Consumer Safety Act.• The Consumer Protection Act. (harmful products)• The Sale of Goods Act. (Fit for purpose)

British Standards Institute

• BSI devises tests that products or components have to meet.

• It awards the Kitemark to those products that meet the standards.

International Standards Organisation

• ISO is the world’s leading developer of International Standards.

• ISO standards specify the requirements for state-of-the-art products, services, processes, materials and systems.

• ISO standards are designed to be implemented worldwide.

ISO standards for companies

• Good conformity assessment, managerial and organizational practice.

• ISO 9000 is a standard laid down for companies with good quality management systems in place and is assessed and awarded by BSI

Conformité Europeenne

• Simply means that the product has been approved for sale in the European Union.

• Meets basic requirements but may not have been tested against specific criteria

• The letters 'CE' on a product are the manufacturer's claim that the product meets the requirements of all relevant European Directives.

CE marking – BSI interpretation

• Indicates to governments that the product can be legally sold within the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA)

• Ensures the product can move freely throughout the European Single Market

• Indicates to customers that the product meets designated minimum safety standards and therefore a minimum level of quality

• Promotes public health and safety • Enhances product credibility • Leads to improved sales and greater customer

satisfaction.

Consumer groups

• Comparative reports on products• Detailed specifications analysed• Independently tested• Value for money advice• Campaigns

Pressure groups

• Independent (often international) • Campaign on many issues such as genetically

engineered food products