Supplying consumer goods
Under the Consumer Safety (Jersey) Law 2006, all consumer goods must be safe to use. This includes goods that you:
- sell
- hire
- part exchange
- give to consumer free of charge
Goods are split in 2 categories:
- consumer goods
- not consumer goods
Consumer goods
Consumer goods are those ordinarily used by consumers and can be new or second-hand.
The law also covers products a consumer will use as part of a service. For example, gym equipment in a gym or high chairs provided to children in a restaurant.
Not consumer goods
Not consumer goods are not covered by this law. These include:
- tobacco
- second-hand goods supplied as antiques
- second-hand goods supplied for the purpose of repair or reconditioning before being used. You must tell the buyer that the goods are for that purpose
Defining a safe product
A safe product is a product that does not present any unnecessary risk to the person using it as long as it is used in a normal way.
The following will be taken into account (among other things):
- the packaging, all accompanying instructions and any other labelling
- the effect of the product on other products that it might be used with
- the person likely to be using the product, eg children having access to small parts
A framework for assessing safety
When assessing the safety of a product, we'll consider:
- safety requirements set by the UK or European law
- any voluntary Jersey standard or voluntary UK national standards, including European standard
- recommendations of the European Community setting guidelines on the safety of goods
- industry codes of good practice
- the level of technology involved (only for state of the art goods)
- reasonable consumer expectations about safety
Safety orders
If a product must already meet the requirements of an existing Jersey Safety Order, then it must follow that order. For example, motorcycle helmets.
Consumer safety (Motorcycle helmets) Order 2006 on the Jersey Law website
What suppliers need to do
Your obligations under the law depends on if you're either a:
Distributors
You're a distributor if you sell consumer goods, supply or wholesale. You must meet certain obligations including passing on all of the warnings and instructions that come with the goods.
Product safety: information for distributors
Producers
You're a producer if you make your own goods or import consumer goods into the Island. You must meet certain obligations including traceability and monitoring requirements.
Product safety for producers
Safety guides
You can find a range of safety guides on the
Business Companion website in the product safety section. These include:
- cosmetic products
- electrical equipment
- fireworks
- food imitation
- goods in rented accommodation
- jewellery safety (metal content)
- mini motos
- off-road vehicles
- new and second-hand prams and pushchairs
- new nightwear
- new upholstered furniture
- ornamental and novelty giftware
- part-worn tyres
- second-hand electrical goods
- second-hand gas cooking appliances
- second-hand upholstered furniture
- toys
Exporting goods to another country
If you're exporting consumer goods to other countries, you should make sure the goods comply with the relevant safety standards of that country.
Due diligence
You should carry out due diligence checks to make sure that your business is protected from breaches of the law.
You can find guidance on
product safety due diligence on the Business Companion website including:
- due diligence principles
- CE marking
- test reports
Safety notices
If you have not fulfilled your obligations under the law, we have access to a range of measures to remove the risk to consumer safety. These are known as safety notices.
We only use safety notices when voluntary actions have not removed the risk.
Safety notices (Trading Standards)
gov.je