Government Issues Temporary Ban on Sale of Disposable BBQs | 14 August

Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months.

During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product. They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.

View the statutory guidelines issued by OPSS here. 

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The Government has announced disposable BBQS  should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time in the context of the ongoing weather and environmental conditionsstatutory guidelines for producers, distributors and retailers. These guidelines apply to all disposable barbecues. OPSS have noted that the guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.

Under GPSR a product must not present a risk or only mini or only the minimum risks compatible with the product’s use, considered to be acceptable and consistent with a high level of protection for the safety and health of persons, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer.

→ In light of the increased temperatures across the UK the Government view the use of disposable BBQs during an extreme heat event or drought poses risk to safety and health of the public and therefore cannot be considered a safe product in light of the current conditions in the UK under GPSR. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), as the UK’s national product regulator, and Local Authority Trading Standards, have powers to enforce the GPSR and there are sanctions, including criminal sanctions, for those that do not comply with the requirements.   statutory guidelines will be used by regulators to help determine whether producers and distributors are complying with their legal responsibilities under GPSR.

→ Failure to follow the statutory guidelines would constitute a breach of the GPSR. Any non-compliance will be addressed in line with OPSS’ enforcement policy and the Regulators’ Code.

• Where there is non-compliance with the GPSR, authorities will be able to take action against producers and distributors, including when having taken due account of the precautionary principle. 
• Action could include requiring businesses to recall products from consumers, suspend supply of products, warn customers about risks, or withdraw products from sale.
• The statutory guidelines will be used by regulators to help determine whether producers and distributors are complying with their legal responsibilities under GPSR.

Following the statutory guidelines is strongly recommended for businesses producing or distributing such products placed on the Northern Ireland market.

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Next Steps: 

• The BRC have asked OPSS for clarification on the duration of the ban and when it is likely to be reviewed, highlighting that retailers need greater certainty.
• OPSS confirmed to the BRC that the ban is intended to be temporary, but no end date has yet been set as it will depend on ongoing weather conditions.
• The BRC has advised OPSS that retailers are currently operating a voluntary withdrawal of disposable BBQs from sale, following NFCC advice, until 26 August, with a review scheduled for 24 August.