Legislation and Trademarks by Hourican

Brief

peter79 — 2015-06-16 16:26:37 UTC

Explain the importance of these within Product Design, add examples/images and questions as challenges for revision purposes.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987

peter79 — 2015-06-16 16:26:53 UTC

This prohibits the manufacture of unsafe goods, and makes the manufacturer liable for damage caused by defective products.

If unsafe products are produced, the local council is legally allowed to seize that product and prevent the further sale of the good

It also prevents misleading price indications.

For designers, this means that products must be safe for use by the intended user, and must not use misleading marketing.

British Standards Institute

peter79 — 2015-06-16 16:27:26 UTC

This is the body responsible for setting manufacturing standards that ensure the product's safety and quality. Companies pay to have their product analysed, in order to prove that the product is of a high standard. If they pass, they are able to stamp the BSI Kite Mark on the product. This demonstrates that the product is of a very high standard and is respected world wide. The simbol is shown below. This standard is valued by manufacturers as it demonstrates to the consumer that the product will be of a high consitenly high quality, and will be therefore a greater trust between the designer and the consumer.

European Standards

peter79 — 2015-06-16 16:28:05 UTC

The European Community has set standards that apply to all members across the EU. In order to ensure that a product is legal to be sold in the EU, a company must meet these minimum standards, although this standard is an absolute minimum. After a product passes this then they can display the CE simbol below.

Revision Question

peter79 — 2015-06-16 16:35:27 UTC

Just to recap:

Why is having the kite symbol on a product important?

What is the minimum requirement for a product to be sold in the EU?

Why should designers avoid having a defective or dangerous product?