The Charity, Electrical Safety First, is worried that the Government\u2019s proposed Scotland Bill, which will devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament, has forgotten consumer protection – and a weapon to curb the tide of counterfeits entering the UK.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the Bill, Phil Buckle, Director-General of Electrical Safety First said: \u201cThere has been a huge increase in counterfeit and sub-standard electrical goods entering the UK \u2013 particularly Scotland. \u00a0In the five years between 2008 and 2013, Glasgow enforcement agencies seized more fake electrical items than any other UK local authority. When you realise that around two thirds of all domestic fires in Scotland are caused by electricity and the vast majority of those arise from electrical products, you can put the situation in context.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe people would be best served by devolving consumer protection powers to the Scottish Government to deal with the issues \u2018on the ground\u2019 \u2013 and as recommended last month, by a cross-party committee of the Scottish Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consumer advocacy<\/strong><\/p>\n In its current form, the Scotland Bill only allows consumer advocacy and advice to be devolved to Scotland, with control over the legal framework of consumer protection retained by Westminster. Electrical Safety First believes consumer protection should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament, which would then have the power to tackle the issues of electrical product safety and prevention of fires in Scottish homes. This would also allow a Scottish Government to respond to the need for changes to the product recall system \u2013 which research by Electrical Safety First shows is failing to protect consumers.<\/p>\n \u201cRecent tragic accidents, where individuals have died through electric shock or an electric fire caused by a recalled product, have highlighted the need to improve the way such products are recalled by manufacturers,” adds Phil Buckle. \u201cAnd with well over 200 electrical items recalled in the last four years \u2013 but with a recall success rate of only 10 -20% \u2013 it is clear the current system needs improvement. This is especially important for Scotland, where so many domestic fires are caused by electrical products.\u201d<\/p>\n