Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to prevent counterfeit electrical goods from being sold in the UK to protect consumers from electrical accidents; and if he will make a statement.

In February this year the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pledged an extra £400,000 to help trading standards officers prevent dangerous goods being sold in the UK, and this includes £182,000 for its ports and borders project which is improving surveillance at Southampton and Felixstowe ports.

The UK is also part of the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products; called RAPEX. This facilitates the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the Commission on measures to prevent or restrict the marketing or use of products posing a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers.