The Office for Product Safety and Standards has launched ‘The 12 Rules of Christmas’, to help consumers shop safely for children’s presents this Christmas.

Working with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), Netmums, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), the Office is warning against buying second rate toys with 12 simple checks when buying for children.

The variety of toys on offer means the occasional second-rate product can sneak onto the market, so always complete these 12 checks when buying for kids.

1. Look for the CE symbol: This means the manufacturer has assessed the toy for safety.

2. Check it’s for kids: Festive novelties can look like toys. Keep them away from kids.

3. Reputation matters: Buy from suppliers who have a good reputation for safe and reliable toys. They’ll be required to meet high standards and can answer your questions.

4. Beware of bargains: Jumble and car boot sales are a great place to get a good deal, but it’s worth taking extra care. Worn or old toys may no longer be safe.

5. Check age restrictions: Toys are clearly marked with age restrictions. It’s important to follow these as they relate to risks such as sharp points or choking hazards.

6. Consider special needs: When checking age restrictions, remember that children with special needs might be more vulnerable, and make sure to shop accordingly.

7. Choking hazards: Small parts and loose or shedding fabric or hair can be a choking hazard.

8. Loose parts: Loose ribbons on toys and costumes can also be dangerous, especially if a child is left unsupervised. Think before you buy.

9. Inspect your toy boxes: Check toys you already own to see if they’re too worn. Wear and tear can expose sharp edges or filling. If it’s a family favourite, get the toy properly repaired.

10. Supervise when you need to: Some toys like chemistry sets need an adult on hand during playtime. Read all the instructions so you know how to control any hazards.

11. Tidy up: Boxes, plastic bags and wire can be a hazard. Clear away all packaging once everything’s unwrapped.

12. Celebrate a safe Christmas: Completing these checks when you shop in store and online can save you a lot of stress later. Just make sure to remember batteries (and dispose of these safely too)!

Help spread the word by downloading the A5 leaflet (PDF, 523KB, 2 pages) leaflet and Poster (PDF, 1.08MB, 1 page) poster. If you’re on Twitter, follow @OfficeforSandS and #12rulesofChristmas

Published 10 December 2018

Package of measures to increase transparency and tackle corruption unveiled today.

Michael Gove today announced a strengthening of the law and new money to ensure the UK’s fishing industry prospers as we become an independent coastal state.

• Package of transparency and anti-corruption measures to address the abuse of Scottish Limited Partnerships that has been linked to money laundering
• Measures will bring greater transparency and more stringent checks to those registering a Limited Partnership
• Annual filing requirements will ensure Companies House has accurate information on all UK limited partnerships

Measures to increase transparency and prevent abuse of limited partnerships, which some criminals have used to launder dirty money through the UK were unveiled today (10 December), as the government published its response to the consultation on the reform of Limited Partnership law.

Scottish Limited Partnerships (SLPs) and Limited Partnerships (LPs) are used by thousands of legitimate British businesses, particularly the private equity and pensions industry, which invest more than £30 billion a year in the UK. However, there are concerns that they are being abused by criminals following large-scale money laundering scandals.

Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said:

The UK has always had world leading corporate standards making us a dependable place to invest and start and grow a business. We are committed to continually enhancing our business environment and as part of that we constantly keep under review our governance arrangements – making sure that people have confidence in our corporate standards.

These proposals will increase transparency, by ensuring these arrangements can still be used legitimately to invest by pension funds and investors while preventing abuse.

The UK is taking strong action in the international fight against money laundering and today’s proposals will increase best practice amongst businesses.

New filing requirements for all Limited Partnerships will make them more transparent with their information, preventing their abuse while enabling investors to continue to use them legitimately and invest in the UK. The key proposals are:

• those registering Limited Partnerships must demonstrate they are registered with an official anti-money laundering supervised agent, such as an accountant or a lawyer, or an overseas equivalent;
• the Limited Partnership must demonstrate an ongoing link to the UK, for example by keeping its principal place of business in the UK;
• all Limited Partnerships must submit a confirmation statement at least every 12 months to Companies House to ensure their information is accurate and up to date;
• Companies House will be given powers to strike off dissolved Limited Partnerships and Limited Partnerships which are not carrying on business.

The proposed reforms will apply to all Limited Partnerships in the UK. In addition to requirements that are in place for Scotland, the reforms will also include new reporting requirements for Limited Partnerships in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This will confirm that the information they have placed on the register is up to date and correct.

Last year, the government introduced laws requiring SLPs to report their beneficial owner and make their ownership structure more transparent, seeing an 80% reduction in the number registered and today’s reforms seek to raise standards further.

UK Government Minister Lord Duncan said:

The UK Government continues to take the abuse of Scottish Limited Partnerships very seriously and will do everything necessary to crack down on crime lords exploiting them to launder dirty money.

This latest package will deliver greater transparency and more stringent checks. It builds on measures we’ve already brought in to close loopholes in their use while ensuring legitimate companies can continue to choose SLPs as a way to invest in the UK. The interest and protection of citizens is of the upmost importance to the UK Government and these reforms will ensure Scotland and the rest of the UK remains a great place to work and invest in.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of a broader package of reforms to Companies House to ensure it is fit for the future and continues to contribute to the UK’s business environment – the best place to start and grow a business. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy plans to consult on these reforms in the new year.

The UK is already taking a leading role on the world stage to improve corporate transparency and was recognised by NGO Transparency International as one of only four G20 countries with the highest rating for cracking down on anonymous companies.

The UK has worked to improve transparency and tackle money laundering through:

• introducing draft laws this summer for a world-first public register which will require overseas companies that own or buy property in the UK to provide details of their ultimate owners;
• making the UK’s company register public in 2015, making it one of the most open and transparency company registers in the world – viewed two billion times last year – meaning company information is under constant scrutiny;
• introducing a register of People of Significant Control in 2016, which now includes 4.6 million names. The register was expanded in 2017 to include Scottish Limited Partnerships;
• launching the government’s new Serious and Organised Crime Strategy on 1 November, investing at least £48m in 2019/20 in law enforcement capabilities to tackle illicit finance and enhance our response to serious and organised crime.

1. Limited Partnerships are formed by at least two partners, one of which must be a general partner – who is liable for any debts incurred – and one limited Partner – who has limited liability but cannot play a role in how the partnership is run. Scottish Limited Partnerships differ to Limited Partnerships elsewhere in the UK as they have legal personality, which allows the partnerships itself to enter into contracts, take on debts or own property. In a Limited Partnership in England and Wales or Northern Ireland a limited partnership cannot do this in its own name, it is done in the name of the partners.

2. In July 2018, the government laid draft laws setting out that foreign companies and other legal entities owning UK properties will be required to reveal their ultimate owners on the world’s first public register of overseas entities’ beneficial ownership