Externally set standards
Compulsory - compliance
Government legislation
E.g. Product safety for manufacturers
Good design and manufacturing processes are essential to ensure firms meet
technical and legal requirements.
They can also give the business a competitive edge and save costs.
This guide sets out the key safety, design, packaging and insurance issues they
need to consider in relation to their products.
The legal responsibilities
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, all products must be ‘fit for purpose’, be of
satisfactory quality and fit its description. This means that the products must
fulfil the purpose the customer has been led to expect and the reasons that led
them to buy it.
The Act also covers any purpose that a customer asks about when the product is
purchased and is guaranteed by the retailer to meet that purpose when it is sold.
If a product is not fit for purpose, the customer is within their rights to have the
goods replaced or repaired.
Voluntary – conformance ‘third party’ quality assurance
The role of inspection
Claims that a product or service meets quality requirements are not always
enough. Frequently, companies that purchase goods and materials require their
vendors submit to ongoing inspections of their quality systems by an
independent quality agency.
Compulsory - compliance
Government legislation
E.g. Product safety for manufacturers
Good design and manufacturing processes are essential to ensure firms meet
technical and legal requirements.
They can also give the business a competitive edge and save costs.
This guide sets out the key safety, design, packaging and insurance issues they
need to consider in relation to their products.
The legal responsibilities
Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, all products must be ‘fit for purpose’, be of
satisfactory quality and fit its description. This means that the products must
fulfil the purpose the customer has been led to expect and the reasons that led
them to buy it.
The Act also covers any purpose that a customer asks about when the product is
purchased and is guaranteed by the retailer to meet that purpose when it is sold.
If a product is not fit for purpose, the customer is within their rights to have the
goods replaced or repaired.
Voluntary – conformance ‘third party’ quality assurance
The role of inspection
Claims that a product or service meets quality requirements are not always
enough. Frequently, companies that purchase goods and materials require their
vendors submit to ongoing inspections of their quality systems by an
independent quality agency.
