STEPS THAT CAN
HELP CONSUMERS
The current guidance to consumers
when purchasing a cot or infant bed
is to look for the British Standard
mark BS EN 716-1. There is a lot
of guidance in connection with this
online and it is recommended that
consumers research the products
that they plan to purchase before
doing so, in order to ensure
that they are content not only
with the safety features, but
also the safety standards
which apply to the product.
In addition, under the
Consumer Rights Act
2015, all products must
be ‘fit for purpose’,
be of satisfactory
quality and fit their
description. Whilst
this is a legal right
designed to protect
consumers, if they
are dissatisfied with
the product they
have purchased,
it does not offer
assistance to
consumers
when selecting
which product
to buy, or
provide
specific
health and
safety guarantees about the product.
Purchasing from brands that are
members of institutions, with recognised
minimum safety guarantees and internal
standards, may offer consumers greater
confidence that the product they are
purchasing has been designed and
manufactured in accordance with the
latest safety standards. Designers,
manufacturers and retailers can, in
turn, help consumers by displaying clear
safety marks on their products, so that
consumers can see at a glance which
products are compliant. It is also a
good idea for consumers to familiarise
themselves with these marks and the
areas that they cover.
It is disappointing, given the
development in this arena over the
safety standards surrounding certain
children’s sleep environment products
for which there had become a growing
safety concern amongst consumers
and experts operating in this area. This
included cot mattresses, cot bumpers,
suspended baby beds, and children’s
duvets and sleep bags.
At the time, cots and cot beds were
not on the list of products that were
causing great concern. Until the review
is concluded, and further standards
are approved and implemented, these
products continue to be governed by
the European General Product Safety
Directive 2001/95/EC, which are, again,
general safety standards, rather than
specific legal requirements imposed
on the designers, manufacturers and
retailers of children’s sleep products.
In light of the attention given to
this area some nine years ago, it is
surprising and disappointing that safety
developments in relation to cots and
cot beds has not evolved from a general
safety position, as it is clear that the
industry requires further compulsory
regulation.
LEGALLY SPEAKING
last 20 years or so, that there appears
to be an inequality of safety standards
between certain products. One would
assume that when it comes to the safety
of our children that the designer and/
or manufacturer would seek to reassure
consumers that their products are (a)
safe, (b) comply with all necessary
safety regulations and (c) attempt or,
at the very least seek to, comply with
the highest safety standards possible,
thus giving their brand and product as
many positives and safety accolades as
possible, in order to stand out within
what is becoming a saturated industry.
If you would like further information
on how the IED can assist its members
in this regard, please get in touch by
emailing: ied@ied.org.uk.
www.ied.org.uk 27
/www.ied.org.uk
link