Frequently Asked Questions on CGSR

Frequently Asked Questions on Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations (CGSR)

1. What is the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations 2011 (CGSR) about?
The Consumer Protection (Consumer goods Safety Requirements) Regulations seeks to enhance the safety of general consumer goods in Singapore. This generally covers physical/mechanical hazards and electric shock/fire hazards related to consumer products.

For products not under the purview of the CGSR please see Q4.

2. What are consumer goods?
Consumer goods are items bought by people for their own use, rather than by businesses. They are goods that satisfy personal needs rather than those required for the production of other goods or services.

3. What products are covered under the CGSR?
The following are examples of general consumer goods covered under CGSR:

Children’s products, such as walkers and cribs
Toys, such as balloons, balls and rattle
Electrical, electronic and gas products that are not regulated under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR)
Furniture, mattresses and bedding
DIY products, such as power tools and home improvement products
Apparel
Sports and recreation products such as exercise equipment
Stationery products, such as writing instruments and paper items
Costume jewellery and watches

4. What products are not under the purview of the CGSR?
The CGSR does not cover consumer goods already under the purview of other regulations or regulatory agencies in Singapore. Some examples are:
a. Food products and products containing/in contact with food or beverages: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

b. Cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and Chinese proprietary medicines: Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

c. Motor vehicles and electric bicycles: Land Transport Authority (LTA)

d. Motorcycle helmets and children’s car seats: Traffic Police (TP)

e. 33 categories of household electrical, electronic and gas appliances and accessories: Consumer Product Safety Office

f. Hazardous substances: National Environment Agency (NEA)

g. Pesticides and vector repellents : National Environment Agency (NEA)

h. Irradiating apparatus: National Environment Agency (NEA)

The following are also not under the purview of CGSR:

Used or second-hand products
Goods produced solely for export or imported solely for re-export
Installation works
Fixtures and fittings
Customised furnishings and furniture
Products for commercial or industrial use
The long-term health effects of consumer products

5. How is CGSR different from the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR)?
The CPSR covers 33 categories of household electrical, electronic and gas appliances and accessories, and is based on pre-market control which requires registration with the Consumer Product Safety Office.

The CGSR covers general consumer goods which are not under the purview of other regulations or regulatory agencies in Singapore and is based on post-market surveillance and action. There is no requirement for pre-market testing, certification or approval from the Consumer Product Safety Office.

While there is no requirement for general consumer goods to be furnished with a test report before it can be sold, in practice, investigations of a possible non-compliance will include request to access relevant test reports and information to determine the existence of reasonable means in ensuring the consumer good complies to safety requirements.

6. When did the CGSR come into effect?
The CGSR came into effect on 1 April 2011.

7. Who will be affected by CGSR?
Suppliers (includes manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and traders) of general consumer goods that are not under the purview of other regulations or regulatory agencies in Singapore will be affected by CGSR.

8. What is the role of suppliers under the CGSR?
Suppliers, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and traders, should supply safe products. If suppliers are made aware of any consumer goods sold by them that are unsafe, they should stop selling the unsafe goods immediately and notify the Consumer Product Safety Office.

9. Are safety/conformity marks (e.g. CE marking) sufficient to ensure that the products are safe?
Suppliers should be aware of various safety/conformity marks and their limitations. For example, the CE marking is based on suppliers’ declaration of conformity and there is no assurance that consumer goods marked CE have actually been tested to the relevant EN safety standards.

10. What should I do when I suspect that a product is unsafe?
Suppliers, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and traders, should immediately stop the supply of the product and notify the Consumer Product Safety Office

11. What action will the Consumer Product Safety Office take?
The Consumer Product Safety Office carries out routine market surveillance regularly as part of its enforcement efforts.

If there are reasonable grounds to believe a product is unsafe
The Consumer Product Safety Office will investigate whether the product is indeed unsafe.
If a product is found to be unsafe
The Consumer Product Safety Office will notify the supplier (includes manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and traders) and the public of the unsafe product and instruct the supplier to stop the supply of the unsafe product. The Consumer Product Safety Office may also instruct suppliers to inform users of the potential dangers of the product.

12. What are the offences under the CGSR?
Any person who –

a. continues selling the goods on or after the day following the issue of a public notice declaring any consumer goods to be unsafe; or
b. fails to comply with a direction issued by the Consumer Product Safety Office to –
(i) control or cease the supply; and
(ii) inform users of the potential dangers of the goods

shall be guilty of an offence.

13. What are the penalties for the offences?
The first-time offender on conviction shall be liable to a fine up to $2,000 or to an imprisonment for a term up to 12 months or to both. In the case of a second or subsequent offence, the offender shall be, on conviction, liable to a fine up to $10,000 or to an imprisonment for a term up to 2 years or to both.

14. How do I find out more about CGSR?
Details on the CGSR are available here.

15. How do I contact the Consumer Product Safety Office to report on safety issues related to general consumer goods covered under the CGSR?
You may report safety issues to the Consumer Product Safety Office using the recommended form provided in Appendix D of the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations Information Booklet and send it to the following mailing address, or contact us via email at consumerproductsafety@enterprisesg.gov.sg or our hotline at 6898 1800