Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) Product Testing Framework

Framework agreement

Description

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has developed a procurement opportunity relating to various categories of product testing to verify compliance with applicable regulations and standards. DBT intend to award an Open Framework across multiple lots. DBT can confirm the lotting structure in detail, and that the lots will cover testing under the National Regulation Enforcement Services that the Office for Product Safety and Standards are responsible for. DBT confirms that procurement will involve lots that will cover product testing services to support OPSS' role as the UK's National Regulator. This procurement will underpin regulatory enforcement and market surveillance across the full breadth of OPSS's responsibilities. The testing requirements will cover: • Construction product testing: Including fire resistance and reaction to fire, structural integrity, thermal and acoustic performance, weather-tightness, durability, glazing, and flooring/roofing assessments. • Product safety testing: Covering a wide range of consumer goods such as electrical equipment, gas appliances, toys, furniture, personal protective equipment (PPE), batteries, pressure equipment, and similar regulated products. • Energy efficiency and noise testing: Including compliance verification for energy labelling, Ecodesign standards, and noise emissions from equipment and appliances. • Chemical, biochemical, and microbiological testing: Encompassing analysis of cosmetics, timber, textiles, jewellery, plastics, and other consumer products for restricted substances (e.g., RoHS), migration/emissions, and microbiological safety. • Cybersecurity and digital compliance testing: Addressing requirements for connected products, including assessment against Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regulations, smart device security and compliance with relevant standards. The testing services covered under these lots are essential for OPSS's proactive and reactive enforcement activities, supporting consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and market confidence. Suppliers are encouraged to maintain readiness for the broad range of testing disciplines outlined above and within this notice. DBT will utilise the new Open Framework permissions permitted by The Procurement Act 2023. The Open Framework Scheme will be opened at least once in the first 3 years of up to an 8-year framework. The value of the opportunity across 8 years is estimated at £43,000,000 ex VAT. The full specification is provided within the tender documents, and the intention of this notice is to inform suppliers that the opportunity is now live. It should be noted that DBT makes no commitment to procure these services and may decide not to progress any further following engagement with the market. DBT reserves the right to change any information contained within this notice at any time, and potential suppliers rely upon any information provided entirely at their own risk. Background The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is part of The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and was created in January 2018 to deliver consumer protection and to support business confidence, productivity, and growth. OPSS regulate a wide range of products with a focus on their safety and integrity. OPSS works with local, national, and international regulators, with consumer representatives and with businesses to deliver effective protections and to support compliance. OPSS' mission is to be a trusted product regulator for the UK. This means protecting people and places, enabling business to thrive and empowering consumers to make good choices. OPSS will be a leader of good regulatory practice and a champion of local regulation. OPSS is: • the national regulator for most consumer products, excluding vehicles, medicines, food, and certain other specialist categories. • the national regulator for legal metrology, ensuring weighing and measuring instruments used for trade are accurate and reliable. • the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP), responsible for ensuring construction products placed on the market meet regulatory requirements. • the enforcement authority for a range of product regulations on behalf of other government departments. Suppliers are strongly encouraged to read the text at the following link to gain a full understanding of the role of the enforcement services within Government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-regulation-enforcement-services

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