Intertek and Electrical Safety First support industry with product safety seminar
07 Apr 2016
The UK safety charity Electrical Safety First and Intertek, a leading global quality solutions provider, have joined forces to offer UK retailers and manufacturers advice on best practise on product safety.
The ‘Safety in Mind – the non-standard approach’ seminar, held at St Brides Foundation, Fleet St, London, covered the importance of adopting ‘right first time’ approach for ensuring products are safe, the need for products to meet safety standards long before they reach consumers, how to design safe products where there isn’t a standard to rely on, as well as insights into the government review of the UK’s system for the recall of unsafe products.
Intertek experts and Electrical Safety First presented to manufacturers, retailers, product testing houses, regulators and lawyers at the London product supply chain industry networking event.
“While the UK’s safety record is generally good, recent media headlines have highlighted the dangers of unsafe electrical products to both consumers and businesses”, explains Martyn Allen, Head of Electrotechnical at Electrical Safety First. “And it needs to be noted that almost half of all domestic fires arise through electricity, with the majority caused by electrical products. We are keenly aware that many businesses need support in fulfilling their legal obligations in relation to product safety. So we are now offering a range of consultancy services, from risk assessment to product safety training, as we believe the best way to protect consumers is by working with the industry.”
Intertek expert Geraldine Cosh said: “Intertek remains at the forefront of product safety testing, which means our experts are well placed to provide vital advice to the industry on how to stay ahead of industry standards while continuing to innovate. Electrical products must be safe, even if specific standards don't exist or the technological state-of-the-art has outpaced them. Nothing can stop a company’s growth plans as fast as port or border authorities blocking a product because they don't consider it meets safety requirements, or a company finding out that a product is unsafe when it's already on sale, requiring a recall,” she added.
Electrical Safety First is the UK charity dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. We undertake consumer education and are recognised by government and industry as the leading campaigning charity and technical authority on electrical safety. For information on our consultancy services, telephone 020 3463, or email: enquiries@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk. Or visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.
Media enquiries:
Joanne Merriweather
Intertek UK PR Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 7786 525390
Email: joanne.merriweather@intertek.com
Angela Murphy
Electrical Safety First
Tel: + 44 (0) 2034 635127
Email: angela.murphy@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk