SPRING 2023 ROUND-UP Campaign against unsafe electricals Electrical Safety First has started a public petition demanding an end to the sale of dangerous electricals online. ROUND-UP The charity says there is a tsunami of fake and unsafe goods available from online marketplaces, particularly those sold by third-party sellers. However, as online marketplaces are not recognised as actors in the supply chain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 do not apply to them. legally required to remove unsafe and recalled products from their platforms, and have an obligation to verify and educate third-party sellers. It is urging the UK government to bring forward legislation to ensure consumers can be confident that products are safe, wherever they shop. This means they have no responsibility for the sale of unsafe goods on their platform and no legal obligation to inform consumers who have bought a potentially lethal electrical item. To support the petition, it is also running a major consumer awareness campaign, Dont Be Electricked, highlighting the risks that everyday electrical products such as a hairdryer, mobile phone charger, or e-scooter could present if bought from third-party sellers via online marketplaces. Electrical Safety First believes online and social media marketplaces should be Credit: Martyn Allen, technical director, Electrical Safety First Image: Shutterstock.com / Antonio Guillem Coronation checkin As the country gears up to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May, businesses hoping for a financial boost must ensure they stay within the law when it comes to using trademarks. ROUND-UP A trademark is a badge of origin and protects brand identity, trade names and distinctive logos. The Royal warrants are registered trademarks, so can only be replicated on goods with the prior consent of the trademark owner. An owner can grant licences to third parties to use its protected intellectual property (IP) in exchange for a fee. This is a controlled and effective way for rights owners and businesses to generate wealth from their IP, and can give your business the legitimate opportunity to benefit from establish brands. If a business uses its own trademark or trade name, and establishes a trade reputation and goodwill, then it will own an unregistered trademark, which can be protected in civil law against unauthorised use also known as passing off. There For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on is a common understanding that if you recognise a brand or mark it is likely to be registered. You can search an image or word to see if its already registered on the Intellectual Property Office website. If you use a trademark without permission, you could be sued by the owner and prosecuted in the criminal courts so always check. The Lord Chamberlains Office can offer guidance on whether the use of Arms and so on may give the impression that there is a royal connection. Contact RoyalNames@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further general advice on the use of#trademarks, copyright and design can#be found on the Business Companion website. Credit: Sarah Noonan, Trading Standards Officer Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.