OPSS community funding for product safety 2025-2026

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) launched its community funding initiative in 2024 to increase the reach of product safety information, so more consumers are empowered to protect themselves and others from product-related harm. Each year, organisations are invited to bid to deliver community-based and / or consumer-focused product safety awareness and education projects.

Contracts are awarded through open competition to the maximum sum of £9,995.

OPSS community funding in 2025-2026

Opportunity 1: Second-hand goods

We welcomed proposals to deliver community-based and / or consumer-focused awareness and educational activity which addressed how to purchase and use second-hand goods safely. Projects could include advice on buying goods from online marketplaces and in-person purchases.

Read OPSS guidance on buying second-hand goods, which we encouraged bidders to follow.

The following organisations were awarded contracts:

• Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton
• Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire
• Closha Associates
• Cleveland Fire Authority
• Community Advice Service
• Coventry Citizens Advice
• Lifeskills - Learning for living
• Learn for Life Enterprise
• LINKS workshops
• North Lanarkshire Council
• Yorkshire Wellbeing Skills Group

Opportunity 2: Product safety activities targeted at the needs of disabled consumers

We welcomed proposals to deliver community-based and/or consumer-focused awareness and educational activity targeted at the needs of disabled consumers (as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Current OPSS campaign materials or messaging were encouraged to be used as part of the proposed activity.

The following organisations were awarded contracts:

• Citizens Advice Rushmoor
• Dimobi Children Disability Trust
• Foresight North East Lincolnshire
• Lancashire County Council Trading Standards
• Max Trax CIC
• Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards
• The Base Midlothian SCIO
• The Good Vibes Project
• Wonder CIC