Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2026
230. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to PQ63192/26 of 7 September 2026, the duties a manufacturer has when it receives a formal product-safety complaint and supporting technical evidence, in particular whether it is required to investigate the reported safety risk, rather than simply attribute the problem to the installer (details supplied). [67068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 63192/26 of 7 September 2026, manufacturers have obligations under product safety legislation where they receive information relevant to the safety of a product they have placed on the market.
Under Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety, as implemented in Ireland by the European Union (General Product Safety) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 726 of 2024), manufacturers are required to ensure that products they have placed or made available on the market have been designed and manufactured so that they are safe.
Manufacturers are also required to have procedures in place to monitor the safety of products placed on the market and to investigate complaints, incidents and other information relevant to product safety. Where a manufacturer becomes aware of information that may indicate a safety risk associated with a product, it must assess that risk and take appropriate corrective action where necessary.
Manufacturers are also obliged to keep an internal register of complaints received from consumers concerning product safety and to inform other economic operators in the supply chain, and relevant authorities where appropriate, of safety issues identified.
Accordingly, where a manufacturer receives a complaint and supporting information that may indicate a safety risk associated with a product, the legislation requires the manufacturer to have procedures in place to investigate the complaint and assess any potential safety risk identified. The responsibility for ensuring product safety and investigating reported safety concerns rests with the manufacturer.
Should a consumer have concerns regarding the safety of a product, or encounter difficulties in resolving those concerns with the relevant business or manufacturer, they may contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for information and guidance.
