Buying electrical items from well-known high street shops can be a smart choice.
These items comply with correct safety regulations and meet necessary safety standards.
Check before you buy: here are some useful points to consider when shopping.
- Think carefully about who and where you’re buying from.
- While the internet has made it far easier to get a product delivered straight to your door, if you buy it from a seller based outside the UK, there’s a chance it may not be manufactured or labelled by our safety laws.
- Take a minute to look at any product you’ve bought. Does it have safety markings? Are the instructions clear? Do you have the name and address of the manufacturer? If not, these can be warning signs. Be cautious about using the product.
- Be careful when buying things second-hand. If the instructions are missing, they may be available on the manufacturer’s website.
British Kitemark
Some products must display appropriate marking to be sold in the UK
This is a statement from the manufacturer that the product meets specific safety, health and environmental requirements.
This applies to toys, electrical goods, gas appliances, fireworks, and personal protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, and helmets. Only buy these types of products if they have appropriate markings and the name and address of the manufacturer on them.
Products sold in Great Britain may display a CE, UKCA, or UKNI marking .
Learn moreHere are some benefits to consider when buying from well-known high-street shops:
1. Assured quality
- Reputable brands: High-street shops often carry products from well-known brands, ensuring higher quality and reliability.
- Certified products: Items sold in these shops usually meet safety standards and have necessary certifications.
3. Warranties and guarantees
- Manufacturer’s warranty: Products from high-street shops typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which provides peace of mind.
- Extended guarantees: Some shops offer extended warranties, or protection plans for an additional fee.
4. Convenience
- Immediate availability: You can see and test the products in person before buying and take them home immediately.
6. Safety and compliance
- Regulated products: Items sold in high street shops are more likely to comply with local safety regulations.
- Less risk of counterfeits: Buying from reputable shops reduces the risk of purchasing fake or substandard products.
