When product-safety information arrives after trading stops
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Take new product-safety information seriously even if the business has stopped trading. Preserve the message and refer it promptly to the responsible person and appropriate authority or specialist. Do not assume that closure answers the question about what action is required.
OPSS product-safety guidance explains responsibilities across the consumer-product supply chain and the need to report safety risks or incidents concerning products supplied. The applicable requirements depend on the product, the business's role and the market. Get advice on the actual facts, including Great Britain or Northern Ireland where relevant.
Prepare facts without attempting your own technical conclusion
Give the responsible contact an organised account of what has been received:
| Information | What to preserve |
|---|---|
| Product identity | Model, batch, serial or other available reference |
| Original message | Sender's account, date received and supporting material |
| Business role | What the business made, imported, distributed or supplied |
| Supply evidence | Relevant supplier and customer references under controlled access |
| Known uncertainty | Missing identifiers, disputed dates or incomplete records |
| Current contact | Person authorised to coordinate the response |
Do not rewrite a reported event as a confirmed technical cause. Keep observations, allegations and established facts distinguishable. Avoid suggesting that someone repeat an unsafe event to provide better evidence.
The business notification guidance covers consumer and non-consumer products supplied on UK markets. Its published contact route directs businesses to the relevant authority for support. Use current official guidance with appropriate advice; this article is not a recall procedure or risk assessment.
Make sure the message reaches someone who can act
A routine closure inbox may not be monitored continuously. Use the agreed escalation route rather than leaving a safety concern for the next general administration session. The absence handover should identify who receives such matters when the usual contact is unavailable.
If records cannot be found, begin the missing-record search while making the information gap clear to the responsible adviser or authority. Do not delay the initial referral until the file appears complete.
Keep customer and supplier information within authorised channels. The need to locate affected records does not justify publishing personal details in a public closure notice.
Keep the issue distinct from the remaining asset sale
The concern may relate to products supplied during former trading, rather than equipment now being sold. Record the relevant scope and avoid assigning the former business's response duties to the auctioneer.
If the information may affect assets being discussed with UK Auction Group, promptly tell the agreed contact the relevant facts and obtain appropriate direction before further commitments. Use the sale-versus-aftercare contact map so both matters reach their responsible people.
Retain the referral, advice received and outstanding actions in the controlled aftercare record. An acknowledgement from another party is not, by itself, evidence that the matter has been resolved.
Sources
This guide is general information and education only. Legal, tax, employment and safety decisions may need a qualified adviser who knows your situation. Read the disclaimer.