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Build on a body of existing research on consumer attitudes to product safety.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is part of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and is the national regulator for most consumer products including cosmetics, and for legal metrology. OPSS aims to deliver consumer protection and develop business understanding of their regulatory obligations.
As reported in this news item, OPSS have commissioned YouGov. to conduct research on consumer attitudes and awareness as a key aspect of developing reactive regulation. The main objective of the research was to understand consumer views on a range of product safety issues exploring topical policy areas including online shopping, second hand shopping and inclusive design.
Further research in this area was published by OPSS on 7 November 2024. Below CTPA have summarised the key findings in relation to cosmetics:
Perceptions of safety
- Under half of the UK public now feel that the current system of product safety regulations ensures that products they purchase are ‘completely’ or ‘a great deal’ safe.
- However, they expect a product to be safe regardless of the price.
- The key factor driving trust in product safety is previous experience of using the product.
Online purchasing
- Online retailers are generally perceived as selling safe products.
- Likelihood to purchase online varies widely by product category. Only 17% of UK adults selected that they would purchase cosmetics online.
Second-hand purchasing
- A majority of the UK public report that they would be likely to buy clothes and clothing accessories, and furniture second-hand.
- Cosmetics are the least common product likely to be purchased second-hand.
- The most common way respondents check the safety of second-hand items is checking reviews and feedback on the seller.
Safety issue reporting
- One in 10 respondents had reported a safety issue for a product purchased within the previous six months.
- Most people do take action as a result of a safety issue.
- 57% of respondents stated they were likely to take action due to a safety issue with a cosmetic product.
