1. - To be able to understand the importance of consumer safety and the national and international standards that are put in place to prevent poor quality products - To be able to identify safety features of a product and justify why and how they would
Consumer safety
Products often have to meet several safety standards if they what be sold in certain counties.
The EU have a set of safety standard called the European Community Directive and the UK also uses British Standards Institute (BSI) which products are to meet.
There are also the Kitemark and CE mark which are used across Europe as a sign of quality and safety.
Companies will pay BSI to put their products though a series of tests and if they meet them that the BSI will approve it.

2. - To be able to understand the importance of consumer safety and the national and international standards that are put in place to prevent poor quality products - To be able to identify safety features of a product and justify why and how they would
Hedge trimmers
Safety guard - ABS or HDPE guard in front of blade. Will stop hand slipping into blade and debris being thrown back into user
Electrical wiring - coating in heavy duty PVC insulation. Often a bright colour. Good for wear and tear
Dead-man switch - two on more switch are used to switch on the trimmers. They often have to be put on in a series.
Cable grommet - This is located where the wire enters the trimmer. This is a weak area which may cause a wire to be exposed. This grommet prevents this.
Cable hook - These are often on both sides and will stop the wire falling in front of the blades which trimming.

3. - To be able to understand the importance of consumer safety and the national and international standards that are put in place to prevent poor quality products - To be able to identify safety features of a product and justify why and how they would
3 pin plug
• Cable grip - to prevent exposure of wires
• Standardised EU wiring colours - brown for live, blue for neutral and green/yellow for earth
• Thermoset polymer for body - high electrical insulator, will not burn/melt so show wires
• Earth pin is longer - connected last when removing from socket.
• Position of pins - prevents inserting plug the wrong way round
• A cartridge fuse - blows and isolates the appliance if the current is too high
• Finger indents to assist with removal from the socket.

4. - To be able to understand the importance of consumer safety and the national and international standards that are put in place to prevent poor quality products - To be able to identify safety features of a product and justify why and how they would
Kettle