From: Office for Product Safety and Standards, published on 1 January 2021 and last updated on 15 March 2022
Great Brittain And Northern Ireland Guides Made Easier Accessible
The OPSS Legal Guidance has been enhanced from PDF to HTML format on 15 March 2022. The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards attempts to make them more accessible for users but their content remained the same. It concerns all guides that are mentioned underneath.
These guides will help you understand the legislation as they were revised at the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, including producer and distributor duties.

To access these regulatory guides even more conveniently, we lined them up for you. Underneath are the links to the different guides in HTML formats, for GB as well as for NI.
Overview Of GB And NI Guides On Product Safety Legislation:
General Product Safety Regulations 2005 GB / NI
All consumer products must be safe in their customary or probable use, according to the standards. Specific laws exist for certain product categories, setting out essential requirements for product safety.
Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 GB / NI
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 GB / NI
This guidance will assist your understanding of the regulations as amended at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 and includes obligations for responsible persons (manufacturers and their authorized representatives).
The legislation applies to:
- machinery
- interchangeable equipment
- safety components
- lifting accessories
- chains, ropes, and webbing
- removable mechanical transmission devices
- partly completed machinery
Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 GB / NI
The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 were repealed on December 26, 2017, however, they still apply to devices that were put on the market before that date.
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 GB / NI
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 GB / NI
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations of 2006 were repealed on December 8, 2016, however, they still apply to products that were placed on the market or put into operation before that date.
Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 GB / NI
The PPE Regulations 2002 were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market before 21 April 2019.
Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (Applies to England, Scotland, and Wales)
The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market or put into service prior to this date.
Gas Appliances (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 GB / NI
Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2016/426 and the Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018. The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 were revoked on 21 April 2018 but continue to apply to relevant appliances and fittings placed on the market before this date.
Lifts Regulations 2016 GB / NI
The Lifts Regulations 1997 were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
Pressure Equipment Safety Regulations 2016 GB / NI
The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations of 1999 were repealed on December 8, 2016, however, they continue to apply to products released prior to that date.
Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 GB / NI
The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 were revoked on 17 August 2015 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market before this date and to pyrotechnical articles to which regulation 74(1) or (2) applies.
Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 GB / NI
The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 1991 were revoked on 8 December 2016 but continue to apply to relevant products placed on the market prior to this date.
UKCA vs CE MARK, PRODUCT SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE (OPSS) UPDATE PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2022
After the Brexit, a transition period for product safety and standards, as well as market surveillance, remained in effect. During this period, EU rules continued to apply throughout the UK. This period ended on December 31, 2020 (even though the UK government approved to extend the transition period for CE product marking in the UK until January 1, 2023). The legislation covers industrial products marketed in GB that were previously subject to EU CE marking.

In our post in February 2022, we summarized the latest updates on product safety for your convenience.