Electrical Product Safety Conference 2023

Electrical Product Safety Conference
Thursday 16 November 2023
Church House, Westminster

Now in it’s 15th year, the Electrical Product Safety Conference brings together experts and leaders from across the industry to explore critical issues, solutions and insight in safer electrical products – from conception, through manufacture and production to sale.

We encourage our speakers not only to share their best practice cases, but also to look to the future on upcoming developments the electrical product sector.

If you want to future-proof your business, get feedback about your ideas from fellow professionals and meet potential clients - you are in the right place to do it.

This is a must-attend event for designers, retailers, manufacturers, product testing houses, regulators, trading standards, Government bodies and safety experts.

JOIN over 200 leading industry professionals from global retail brands, design, manufacture, import and distribution of electrical goods, lawyers, testing houses, safety experts and government bodies.

LEARN from expert speakers looking at the latest trends, innovations and critical issues in electrical product safety.

SHARE ideas, findings, innovations and knowledge during lectures, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

About the conference

The Electrical Product Safety Conference 2023 is the industry-leading conference on the critical issues facing the electrical product sector.

The Electrical Product Safety Conference 2023 investigates key and emerging issues to ensure you have the right skills and capacity to thrive alongside emerging advancements and innovations in the field.

The event explores key themes and trends impacting on consumer safety and the electrical product industry, attracting a wide range of delegates - from government departments to manufacturers, retailers, importers, lawyers and test houses. The wide-lens approach means you hear about the most important emerging issues of the time before we drill down into detail with our experts from across the field to find out how these affect industry and consumers in real life. So wherever you are in the electrical product chain – or beyond – don’t miss it!

Over the course of the conference you will hear from industry experts on the challenges ahead, as well as some key solutions being implemented and insights on opportunities for the future.

Through a mix of informative presentations and panel sessions the event provides the perfect opportunity for you to learn and more importantly to share your thoughts with likeminded professionals.

Who attends?

The Electrical Product Safety Conference is attended by designers, manufacturers, retailers, importers, installers, product testing house, safety advocates, lawyers and enforcement authorities. The event attracts a senior audience interested in hearing the top insights and strategies in the field of electrical safety.

Agenda

Click here for the agenda.

Speakers

Chair: Katie Prescott - Technology Business Editor, The Times, former BBC Business Presenter and Correspondent

Katie is one of the UK’s best-known business journalists. A familiar voice to millions of listeners; after a decade reporting for the BBC, Katie was the Senior Lead Business Presenter for Radio 4’s Today Programme and a Business Correspondent across BBC News on TV, radio and online.

She’s now the Technology Business Editor for The Times and a weekly columnist for the newspaper’s award-winning business section. Across the fast-changing landscape of tech, media and telecoms, Katie brings all the key stories to readers, listeners and viewers across Times platforms.

At the BBC, Katie worked across all the corporation’s major news outlets as the on-screen face and voice explaining and analysing the tumultuous changes wrought by COVID-19, the European debt crisis and new technology, in addition to the challenges of sustainability and climate change.

Katie has a wealth of expertise in technology, business, finance, economics, media, digital disruption, cyber security and sustainability.

Jonathan Angwin, Critical & Emerging Tech Security Policy and Product Security Regime Lead, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Jonathan has been the UK government's lead official for consumer connectable product security legislation at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since June 2021.

He oversees the design and delivery of the UK's consumer connectable product security regime, comprising of the Product Security & Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act 2020, and the PSTI (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) Regulations 2023.

Lech Biernacki, Technical Program Manager, Connected Innovations

Lech is an IT professional with over 15 years of expertise, including a decade at Microsoft where he had a role of architect and project manager. Adept in Microsoft technologies with a focus on Azure cloud, he has a strong track record in team leadership and agile coaching. Currently at Connected Innovations Lech as Technical Program Manager is responsible for product development, fostering high-performing teams and optimizing business value.

Abdul Choudhury, Senior Policy Advisor, Energy Technology and Innovation, Department for Transport

Abdul leads on safety of home and workplace chargepoint installation grant scheme for the Office for Zero Emission vehicles.

He has worked in a range of policy areas including property and the built environment, infrastructure and competition.

Geraldine Cosh MSc, Director, Geraldine Cosh Consulting Ltd

Geraldine has nearly 20 years of experience in product safety and risk assessment with extensive experience in the areas of injury prevention, risk management, and project management, as well as the development of effective staff training systems. Her clients have included global consumer product, safety promotion and injury prevention organisations.

Geraldine was the Technical Author for PAS 7055, PAS 7050 and PAS 7100. She has supported the EU CASP (Coordinated Activities for the Safety of Products) projects as a technical expert and was a Senior Product Safety Expert for the SPEAC (Safe non-food consumer products in the EU and China) project. Geraldine also currently works as a coordinator and consumer representative for the Consumer Public and Interest Network (CPIN).

Phil Dent, Head of Retail Development and Implementation, British Heart Foundation

Phil has been with the British Heart Foundation for over 15 years working in various roles from field based operational roles to change and project focused central operations roles. Phil has worked across all aspects of charity retail and has strong knowledge and experience of electrical resale within the charity sector.

In his current role as Head of Retail Development and Implementation Phil and his team oversee all change and delivery activity across the commercial directorate and work closely with colleagues in compliance, risk assurance and security to ensure a smooth transition of activity across departments.

Katherine Forrest, Risk Manager, Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)

Katherine supports the Office in the delivery of risk-based regulation by delivering methodologies on risk, as well as carrying out complex risk assessment on products and hazards. A career in consumer protection working in both local government and central regulators, Katherine developed an interest in risk whilst regulating high-cost short-term lenders as part of the regulatory take-over of consumer credit by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Katherine joined OPSS in June 2020 and has been involved in a number of key regulatory activities. This includes the co-drafting of PRISM, leading an extensive programme of validation and designing and building the PRISM interim toolkit.

James Frake, Managing Scientist, Exponent

James is an experienced engineering physicist who has provided multidisciplinary technical consulting services to clients in systems-level engineering, research & development, testing, failure analysis and safety / reliability of products. He works across all stages of the product lifecycle to encourage a holistic approach in the product development process for product innovation, safety, and reliability.

James has worked extensively in the fields of medical devices, batteries, and sensing / metrology and is experienced in failure investigations and standards / regulatory compliance for products and manufacturing.

James has helped his clients throughout the product and technology development lifecycle. He has worked across many industries, including medical devices, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, mining, electric vehicles, consumer devices, industrial and the food & drink industry. His specific engineering experience includes developing novel sensors and detection systems, designing and building measurement and metrology devices, temperature control and cryogenic systems, wireless power, and general electromagnetics.

James's PhD was in the electrical measurement of quantum semiconductor devices at high frequencies, for applications in quantum computation, novel electronic density of states measurements, charge pumping, and primary thermometry.

Steve George, Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability Manager, Numatic

Steve’s Initial career was in the field of Van de Graaff and other DC particle accelerators before moving to Numatic in 2003. He has worked in R&D, moving to ISO9000 and ISO14001 and is now the Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability Manager. He ensures that Numatic stays up to date with the increasingly complex world of regulation and standardisation. He also leads Numatic on their Net Zero journey which, being a UK manufacturer, means that that work covers not just the product, but the manufacturing process itself.
He sits on many IEC and CENELEC committees and working groups. He is currently Chair of CPL61/10 and also Chairs Make UK’s Environmental and Sustainability Policy Committee and EUnited’s Committee for Environmental aspects of commercial cleaning appliances.

Glen Holbrook, General Manager Commercial Operations, Repairs & Reverse Logistics, Currys

Glen has been part of the Currys business for over 20 years, with over 15 years’ experience within Repairs and Reverse logistics. He is responsible for the introduction and development of diagnostics tools into the Currys Repairs/Returns journeys within the retail stores, stock management of all UK&I Returns, leading to and driving the production of stock for Currys Circular Economy Sales.

In 2023, Glen and his team were the proud Winners of the “Retail Weekly Customer Experience Gamechanger Award” for the Implementation of RepairLive, a 2 way video solution designed to help support customers with their Tech issues.

Carol Holley, Associate London Litigation, Cooleys

Carol is part of the International Product Liability and Product Compliance team. She advises world leading brands on product compliance and regulatory matters, ranging from new product launches, to issues that can arise throughout the life of a product. Carol has a particular interest in policy work, including advising a client in relation to the new Goods Package legislation.

Kevin Hollinrake MP – Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business

Kevin represents the constituency where he was born, brought up in and has lived in most of his life. He was elected to Parliament in May 2015, during which time he has been the Co-Chair of the APPG for Fair Business Banking, Co-Chair of APPG for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire and a member of the Treasury Select Committee. Kevin was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade on 7 February 2023. He was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy between 27 October 2022 and 7 February 2023. He has a business background, having been a founder partner of Hunters Estate Agents, which he helped to grow into one of the largest independent networks of sales and letting agents in the UK. Kevin is a strong advocate of the small and medium sized business sector and of the North, and has been campaigning hard for more investment in Northern roads, rail, digital networks, skills training and private sector investment, which he believes is key to growing the Yorkshire and wider UK economy.

Chris Hollins, Chief Communications Officer, Connected Innovations

Chris has been a journalist for over 25 years with BBC and ITV. Although most recognisable as the face of BBC Breakfast sport he also presented the BBC’s flagship consumer affairs programme “Watchdog” for 6 years. Electrical faults, unsatisfactory recall methods leading to dissatisfied customers and tragedy in the case of the Grenfell disaster dominated the show’s headlines. A chance introduction to Anthony D Parfitt, the CEO of Connected Innovations has now taken him away from television to help CI to achieve its mission of preventing all electrical fires.

Valerie Kenyon, Partner, Hogan Lovells International LLP

Valerie co-leads the Global Products Law regulatory and litigation practice in London.

She specialises in product safety and product-related regulatory, advisory, and compliance work as well as litigation for product companies. Always focusing on practical and commercial advice, Valerie helps companies to mitigate risks and meet business objectives, and frequently leads large-scale multijurisdictional projects. She is a dedicated international products Partner, motivated by all things product-related.

Valerie’s client base includes manufacturers, suppliers, and insurers of consumer products, ranging from more traditional products to high-tech IoT and connected products, digital services and apps. As a result, Valerie has industry and sector-specific knowledge, working closely with other advisors, including test houses, consultants, certification bodies, and other industry specialists.

She excels in tailor-made solutions for the complex world of products, with particular expertise in bringing new tech products to market, issue-spotting and advising on user safety. Valerie is also an experienced litigator in the technology and automotive sectors, as well as in respect of general commercial disputes, and she has extensive group litigation experience.

Alex Lewis, Northern European Product Safety & Liability Manager R&CD BA Europe, Electrolux

Alex has worked in the white goods industry for 7 years, primarily in standardisation, compliance and product safety. He is a member of the Performance and Safety national committees for white goods. He has previous experience running repair actions and recalls for various companies. He is the lead investigator for all product failures for Electrolux in Northern Europe.

Caroline North, Deputy Director, Online and Supply Chain Enforcement, Office for Product Safety and Standards

Caroline leads on all enforcement matters relating to online platforms and the supply routes into them. Caroline has also led the enforcement response for product safety incidents declared by OPSS.

Caroline joined OPSS in 2018 after working for over 20 years in Local Government as a Trading Standards Officer and Manager and she is a member of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

Lesley Rudd, CEO, Electrical Safety First

Lesley has worked in the energy industry all of her career. Starting originally with British Gas in Newcastle she moved to London and worked on both gas and power projects in the UK and abroad. She later joined the Sustainable Energy Association, where she spent around eight years campaigning on sustainability and Net Zero, before joining Electrical Safety First in 2020 – a place where she was able to combine her twin passions for safety and sustainability.

Lesley was awarded an Order of the British Empire Medal in the 2020 New Year Honours list for services to UK energy markets and clean growth.

Adrian Simpson, Retail Products Policy Advisor, British Retail Consortium

Adrian supports retailing with the supply of safe and compliant products. He is a Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner and a Non-Executive Director of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute with a background in front-line consumer protection and business advice.

Sarah Smith, OBE, Deputy Chief Executive – Office for Product Safety and Standards, Department for Business and Trade

Sarah is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. She leads the UK Government’s approach to product regulation and market surveillance, and legal metrology, including administering new sovereign functions such as designating standards and operating regulatory approvals processes and leading the programme on ports and borders interventions.

Sarah has worked extensively with policy departments and regulators in the UK and overseas as a technical expert, and frequently delivers keynote speeches and panel sessions at national and international conferences and events. Prior to joining the Civil Service, Sarah was a trading standards professional working in the local government sector in a variety of leadership, policy and operational roles. Sarah is a member of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. She received the OBE for services to businesses and consumers in 2019.

Kevin Sweeney, Director - Assurance, Intertek

Kevin is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and a Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and has been with Intertek since June 2007. Responsibilities include the research and development of new services and markets for the Electrical and Network Assurance business line in the UK and Ireland. These include the Renewable Energy sector, Smart Grid and related technologies, Ecodesign and Energy Efficiency, Intertek’s Satellite Manufacturer’s laboratory program and more recently, the development of Consultancy services in support of manufacturers, retailers, end users and contractors. Kevin has over 20 years experience in Sales, Marketing and Business Development and 10 years in Electronic Design and Product Development.

Martin Townsend

Martin Townsend, Director for Centre of Excellence for Sustainability, BSI

In his career to date, Martin has worked as an environmental regulator, advised Ministers, and worked with city mayors and businesses across the world - ensuring sustainability comes alive. Martin has also been a keynote speaker at many international conferences to ensure as a global community; we accelerate the rate of change while reducing the impact we have.

Martin joined BSI in November 2019 and also sits on several advisory boards for public and private sector organizations to support them in their success.

Karl Ullrich, Customer Service Technology Group Manager, BSH Home Appliances Limited

Karl is part of the Customer Service senior management team at BSH Home Appliances. He has 44 years of industry experience in a variety of roles – initially in Germany – then in the UK for the past three decades.

Karl oversees the technical training team which supports an award-winning repair service and manages a technical advice team which assists engineers, retailers and installers. He has close involvement with safety issues, repair actions, inspections and works with the BSH head office, factories and enforcement agencies to ensure the highest standards are maintained.

Moderators

Martyn Allen, Technical Director, Electrical Safety First

Martyn leads the Charity’s electrotechnical team as an impartial centre of excellence for the safety of electrical installations and products - including representing consumer safety interests on a range of British, European and International Committees. Originally trained as an underground electrician with British Coal, he worked in engineering risk management with Royal and Sun Alliance for 16 years before joining the Electrical Safety Council (the forerunner of Electrical Safety First), in 2006.

He is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Corporate Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer, Electrical Safety First

Giuseppe is an experienced electrical/mechanical engineer. He is part of a specialised technical team responsible for electrical product investigations to help protect consumers from unsafe electrical products.

Giuseppe has 20 years’ experience in UKAS accredited laboratory testing, and consulting, on electrical installation products and accessories. He is also a member of various BSI technical standards committees including PEL 023, FW/0/3/1 & EPL 108 covering electrical accessories, electrical systems in office furniture and IT equipment.

Sylvie Gallage-Alwis, Partner, Signature Litigation

Sylvie is both an avocat à la cour in France and a solicitor in England and Wales. She has 15 years’ experience in complex disputes linked to products, namely product liability, product safety toxic tort, mass litigation/class actions, regulatory compliance and environmental/ESG matters. She represents manufacturers across industries including life sciences, automotive, electronic products, cosmetics, energy and food. Sylvie is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) and attends International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) events.

Karter Kane, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor, Electrical Safety First

Karter joined Electrical Safety First as a Policy and Public Affairs Advisor in January 2022 after completing her Master’s degree in politics at Strathclyde University. She is based in Glasgow and works to develop government relations and policies across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Since joining the charity, she has been involved in campaigns around product safety on online marketplaces, electrical safety checks in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland and expanding consumer awareness of electrical safety risks.

Angela Murphy, Research and Development Specialist, Electrical Safety First

Angela has worked for the Charity for over ten years and is a member of the CIPR and a Fellow of the RSA. Originally trained as a journalist, she has been employed in communication roles, at a senior level, across the public, private and third sectors. At Electrical Safety First, she has helped establish its Thought Leadership strategy, ensuring the expert voice of the charity can be heard in relation to both current and future issues in the electro-technical landscape. Because, during a period of unprecedented technological change, consumer protection and trust in the safety and security of products and services are critical.

Interested in event speaking opportunities?

Electrical Safety First’s ‘Electrical Product Safety Conference’ is the leading annual industry event, bringing together experts and leaders to explore critical issues, solutions and insight into safer electrical products – from conception, through manufacture and production to sale.

The conference is attended by designers, retailers, manufacturers, product testing houses, regulators, trading standards, Government bodies and safety experts.

We encourage our speakers not only to share their best practice cases, but also to look to the future on upcoming developments the electrical product sector.

The event is a platform for speakers to share expertise, future-proof their business, get feedback about ideas from fellow professionals and meet potential clients.

If you or anyone you know is interested in speaking at the event please get in touch by emailing ellen.vester@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Sponsorship opportunities

For a bespoke, tailored package, please contact ellen.vester@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Engaging electrical safety industry experts, government bodies and influencers: set the agenda and enhance your reputation

Electrical Safety First offers a range of opportunities, enabling organisations to reach a unique global audience of senior business and industry leaders in the electrical safety field.

Position yourself as 'thought leader' to an influential community of electrical safety professionals
Raise awareness of specific initiatives or projects
Raise the profile of your business and spokespeople
Brand association with widely respected, impartial and influential organisation
Face to face access and connections with hundreds of industry professionals, decision-makers and business leaders including manufacturers, retailers, importers, product testing houses, safety advocates, lawyers and Government bodies.

For a bespoke, tailored package, please contact ellen.vester@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Supporters

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) delivers consumer protection, supports business confidence, productivity and growth. Regulating a wide range of products with a focus on their safety and integrity. Working with local, national and international regulators, with consumer representatives and with businesses to deliver effective protections and to support compliance.

Our mission is to be a trusted product regulator for the UK. This means protecting people and places, enabling business to thrive and empowering consumers to make good choices. We will be a leader of good regulatory practice and a champion of local regulation.

Headline Sponsors

Connected Innovations is a pioneering company dedicated to preventing electrical fires and reducing energy consumption. They have created award-winning innovative products which make the fundamental shift in how we use IoT, changing the emphasis from lifestyle to life-saving. Their vision is to create dependable, affordable and fully automated safety solutions to make sure every home and business benefits from intelligent Ci™ technology.

Marketing Partners

Essential information

What is the Electrical Product Safety Conference about?
The Electrical Product Safety Conference 2023 is a full day conference bringing you the latest in emerging issues from the world of electrical product safety. Each year, the event explores key themes and trends impacting on consumer safety and the electrical product industry, attracting a wide range of delegates - from government departments to manufacturers, retailers, importers, lawyers and test houses. We bring to the forefront key and emerging issues impacting on the industry and consumers. So wherever you are in the electrical product chain – or beyond - you’ll want to join us!

Why should I attend?

We encourage our speakers not only to share their best practice cases, but also to look to the future on upcoming developments in the sector.

If you want to future-proof your business and get feedback about your ideas from fellow professionals - you are in the right place to do it.

Who is it for?
200+ leading industry professionals consisting of: global retail brands, design, manufacture, import and distribution of electrical goods, lawyers, testing houses, safety experts and government bodies.

How can I register?
You can register your interest by visiting the booking page on eventbrite.

Can I bring a guest?
Yes, but your guest would need to register and pay in the usual way.

Where is the conference?

The conference will be held at Church House, Westminster.

How can my company exhibit at the Electrical Product Safety Conference?
You can email us at ellen.vester@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

What happens if I cannot attend?
If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that your place can be allocated to someone else. We are unable to offer refunds but your ticket may be given to a colleague.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Please, email us at ellen.vester@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Testimonials

“Electrical Safety First continues to deliver excellent work in helping to identify, communicate and reduce the risks associated with electrical products. We believe their campaigns remain important for helping to support product safety, as well as building trust between manufacturers, channel partners and customers.”
Paul Hide, Chief Executive Officer, AMDEA

“The British Retail Consortium is pleased to support Electrical Safety First, an important partner within the electrical industry, in its activities around raising awareness of the importance of using electrical appliances safely.”
Adrian Simpson, Retail Products Policy Adviser, British Retail Consortium

"This year's Electrical Product Safety Conference was the best yet. The panels were informative and interesting and we were thrilled to also be awarded with this year’s Safety Innovation Award. The fact that our work to improve customer safety has now been recognised by Electrical Safety First is an achievement that we are really proud of."
Andrew Mullen, Beko Plc, Previous Safety Innovation Award Winner

“We’re thrilled our WiFi hood received a ‘Highly Commended’ Safety Innovation Award from Electrical Safety First. Consumer safety is of upmost importance to us here at Hoover and, whilst we pride ourselves on producing innovative appliances, we’re really proud that our product has been recognised by the UK’s electrical safety experts for its unique safety credentials.”
Hoover Candy Group, highly commended for a previous Safety Innovation Award