Joint Statement from OPSS, UKHSA and HSE.
There is an increasing awareness and public concern about potential asbestos contamination in sand-containing consumer products. There are a number of products subject to a recall because they have been found to contain small amounts of asbestos. Recalled products include craft kits, science kits, toys containing sand and decorative doorstops. No play pit sand is currently subject to a recall.
The government regularly brings together experts across departments and agencies to ensure a clear response to topical issues. This statement has been prepared and jointly agreed by:
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) - UK's product regulator with responsibility for the product safety framework
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - the executive agency responsible for protecting people from health threats
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety
The statement:
Provides clarity to business on their regulatory responsibilities in relation to products they make, import or sell in relation to potential contamination with asbestos;
Provides information to the public on what to do if they think they own or have come into contact with products subject to an asbestos-related product recall; and
Advises the public about the level of risk of any contact they may have had with recalled products or concerns about purchases of similar products.
The statement:
The UK product safety framework provides a robust level of protection and requires all consumer products placed on the market to be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Our laws place clear legal responsibilities on business to ensure the safety of consumer products they manufacture, import, distribute or make available. Businesses must also monitor the products for safety risks once they are placed on the market, and must act quickly to reduce or mitigate any issues.
While regulatory and enforcement decisions are generally shaped according to level of risk and the principle of proportionality, in the UK there is a zero-tolerance approach to asbestos in consumer products. Asbestos use or importation has been banned since 1999 and the government is very clear - consumer products found to contain asbestos must be recalled. OPSS is requiring industry to act to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities, including the removal of any consumer products containing asbestos from sale and recall from consumers. This approach is reflective of our zero-tolerance approach. It is not an indication of the level of risk to any consumers.
The risks relating to asbestos exposure are well known but the presence of asbestos in a consumer product does not always mean there is an immediate danger to health. The risk is dependent on how the product is used, and the amount and duration of any exposure. Asbestos materials which have not been broken or disturbed are unlikely to cause harmful effects to your health. If asbestos is disturbed, the fibres can be released into the air and if breathed in could possibly harm your health, depending on the amount and duration of any exposure over time.
The risks to health are expected to be low, for these recalled products during normal use, even with occasional short-term exposures and when following the disposal instructions. To reduce any potential risks to health, it is important to stop any use or access to the affected products and follow the clean-up and recall advice .
The government is committed to protecting the public and will continue to monitor the situation, ensuring businesses take the appropriate action and will update advice to the public as and when appropriate.
