What an achievement it would be to be the authority that intercepts a third of all non-compliant and unsafe products entering the UK. Well, Thurrock Trading Standards Ports Team holds exactly that title. Last year alone it intercepted 36% of such goods earning the team the prestigious Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Product Safety Hero Award.
Items intercepted by the Port Team include life-endangering carcinogenic face creams, fire-risk hairdryers and dangerous toys. In the last quarter of 2018 alone, the team confiscated over 88,000 unsafe products that could have caused serious harm to UK families.
The Ports Team works with three UK ports within the borough, two of which are deep sea ports, and saw an 86% increase in the number of unsafe items detected last year, leading to an estimated £14.4 million saving for the UK economy.
Left to right: Clare Cunningham (Thurrock Trading Standards Ports Team), Charlotte Edwards (Thurrock Trading Standards Ports Team), Jackie Doyle-Price MP, and Amanda Farrell (Office for Product Safety and Standards).
The CTSI Hero Awards celebrate those who make outstanding contributions towards consumer protection in our communities. The Thurrock Trading Standards Ports Team received its award at the CTSI Hero Awards 2019 ceremony at One Great George Street, London, on Tuesday (June 25).
Chief Executive at CTSI, Leon Livermore, said: “Tackling dangerous products before they can get into the hands of unsuspecting consumers is an extremely challenging and vital role for trading standards, and one that the Port Team at Thurrock excel. We’re lucky to have this dedicated team keeping us safe.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: “Our Trading Standards Ports Team has received £177,000 in funding from the National Trading Standards Board for 2019/20. They work tirelessly to identify dangerous, consumer products and confiscate such items before they make their way into the hands of unsuspecting shoppers.”
“Thurrock is a gateway for the world, so our officers’ work potentially protects millions of people from harm or serious injury. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.”
The Thurrock Port Team will be presented with its award by Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price, and Sarah Smith, Deputy Director at the Office for Product Safety and Standards, who supported this year’s Product Safety Award category.
