OPSS to Online Marketplaces on Asbestos in Sand-Containing Toys

Requirements for Online Marketplaces

• OPSS have been investigating the situation since issues came to light and are continuing to investigate. 
• The letter from OPSS has provided a clearer of what will be required from online marketplaces going forward.
• OPSS has concluded that final product testing is not sufficient be enough to provide assurance that a product is asbestos-free.
• All businesses including online marketplaces must take a broader approach to thoroughly understand and control the risk of asbestos contamination throughout the product supply chain before placing products on the market, to ensure that the products they are supplying are safe. 
• Assurance will require a suitable system of checking, testing and reliable documentation, obtained at key points during the sourcing, production, processing, manufacture, packing and storage of products and their raw materials.
• OPSS have suggested use of  PAS 7050 Bringing Safe Products to the Market as well as use of certification bodies and chain of custody schemes.
• OPSS have asked for online marketplaces to consider whether they currently have sufficient levels of assurance to satisfy themselves that products listed on these platforms can demonstrate absence of asbestos. Platforms should not provide sand-containing toys where this cannot be confirmed.
• OPSS have notified us they will shortly be conducting market surveillance to determine if industry has appropriate measures in place.  
• OPSS has asked online marketplaces to confirm the actions they will take to ensure these products are safe and compliant by emailing the OPSS Online Strategy Team, copying in the OPSS Incident Management Team: OPSS-OnlineMarketplaces@businessandtrade.gov.uk and OPSSIncidentManagement@businessandtrade

Download the letter at the bottom of this article.