Whatever type of product you’re planning to use for your promotions, it’s vital to check where those products have been manufactured and whether they have been tested for product safety.

There’s no escaping the fact that you’re legally and morally responsible to ensure that the promotional products you’re giving away won’t harm users.

‘A safe product is one that provides either no risk or a minimum acceptable level of risk, taking into account the normal or reasonably foreseeable use of the product,’ states Trading Standards. ‘The laws apply to any business involved in the import, manufacture and supply of goods to consumers.’

The result of cutting corners on product safety includes the possibility of criminal prosecution, having to withdraw products from market and legal action from consumers.

Fortunately, most promotional products available in the UK carry certification that they have been tested to meet the EU regulations, but it’s always best to check with your promotional product supplier and to be especially vigilant with higher risk items, such as custom made products, electrical and edible products, and those intended for children.

The BPMA website has a very useful very useful section on product safety and compliance, with key information on areas such as:

• Understanding Risk and Product Safety
• Toy Safety
• Phthalates
• Nickel Release
• Fibre Content Labelling
• Electrical Safety of Toys
• Azo Dyes

Product safety is the responsibility of the entire supply chain, so it’s always important to consider and pass down any information you have about who the final users are.  Are they a business community, family in the home, or children? Also, think about where the products are going to be used – in an office? in a car? outdoors? indoors? Are the products going to be shipped out of the UK or EU to countries with different regulations?

Arcadia has many years of experience in sourcing and importing ethically manufactured promotional products. Not only can we advise you on how to make your promotional campaign a success, but we can also help ensure you and your customers stay safe. Contact us today at sales@arcadiaonline.co.uk.

Make Memorable Merchandise

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Jason Markwick

Having worked in Promotional Merchandise for the last 25 years I have been exposed to all aspects of the industry. Starting out as an account manager working with some of the worlds leading brands, I have learnt to understand the needs of a client, manufacturing processes, and what it takes to deliver a successful promotional campaign that is on brand, on time and within a given budget.