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Toys and Games: Asbestos

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 25554

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Office for Product Safety and Standards news story entitled Stronger asbestos controls needed to keep kids safe, published on 20 July 2026, what discussions his Department has had with local authority Trading Standards on enforcing the guidance issued to businesses.

Answered by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is in regulation communication with local authorities on the issue of toys contaminated with asbestos. OPSS has provided two online technical briefings for frontline officers, and includes information and updates in communications which are received by regulatory heads of service in LAs on a weekly basis.

OPSS also engages with LAs in relation to particular businesses in their area, or with whom they have a primary authority partnership, to ensure businesses are aware of their responsibilities, take action as appropriate and recall products as necessary to keep consumers safe.

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