Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 April 2014
93. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to set up a body dedicated to monitoring the design and quality standards of furniture here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16920/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to set up a body for the purpose suggested by the Deputy. The quality of goods, including furniture, is regulated in the first instance by the Sale of Goods Acts 1893 and 1980. Among other things, the Acts require goods to be of "merchantable quality", namely that "they are as fit for the purpose or purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly bought and as durable as it is reasonable to expect having regard to any description applied to them, the price (if relevant) and all other relevant circumstances". The European Communities (Certain Aspects of the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 11 of 2003) further require goods sold to consumers to "show the quality and performance which are normal in goods of the same type and which the consumer can reasonably expect, given the nature of the goods and taking into account any public statements on the specific characteristics of the goods made about them by the seller, the producer or his representative, particularly in advertising or on labelling". The National Consumer Agency is the market surveillance authority in Ireland for the safety of products, including furniture. The Agency receives 400-500 communications annually about potential product safety risks, of which just three or four relate to furniture products.
