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This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 Conservative Administration

https://opss.blog.gov.uk/2023/04/22/earth-day-2023-protecting-our-planet-the-role-of-the-office-for-product-safety-and-standards-on-earth-day/

Earth Day 2023 Protecting our planet: The Role of the Office for Product Safety and Standards

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environmental Protection, OPSS Impact

A clear marble with a globe etched laying on a green lawn

As we approach Earth Day, it's a time for us to reflect on our impact on the planet and the steps we can take to protect it. At the Office for Product Safety and Standards, we believe that product safety and standards play a crucial role in safeguarding our environment.

Our mission is to be a trusted product regulator for the UK. This means protecting people and places, enabling business to thrive and empowering consumers to make good choices. We will be a leader of good regulatory practice and a champion of local regulation.

We work closely with businesses to help them meet the necessary regulations and standards, and we enforce those regulations to ensure that non-compliant products are removed from the market.

Why is this important?

The products we use every day, from household cleaners to electronics, can have a significant impact on the environment. For example, products that contain harmful chemicals can end up in our waterways and soil, causing damage to wildlife and ecosystems. Poorly designed products can also be difficult to recycle, leading to unnecessary waste.

By promoting product safety and standards, we can help to mitigate these negative impacts. Ensuring that products are designed with sustainability in mind, that they are made from Eco-friendly materials, and that they can be recycled or disposed of properly at the end of their life.

One example of this is our work with the electrical industry to reduce the environmental impact of electronic products. We have worked with manufacturers to develop guidelines for sustainable design and to promote the use of recycled materials. We have also worked with retailers to encourage the take-back of old electronics for recycling, preventing them from ending up in landfill sites.

We believe that everyone has a role to play in protecting our planet, and that includes businesses and consumers alike. By choosing products that are safe, environmentally friendly, and sustainable, we can make a positive impact on the environment.

On this Earth Day, we encourage everyone to consider the impact of the products they use and to choose products that are safe and sustainable. We will continue to work with businesses to promote product safety and standards and to protect our planet for future generations.

Click here to read more about the work that we have done to protect people and the environment.

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