Trading Standards activity relating to the sale and supply of unsafe or non-compliant mattresses and beds.

The purpose of this request is to gather data on Trading Standards activity relating to the sale and supply of unsafe or non-compliant mattresses and beds.



*Required information*



Specifically, I am seeking anonymised data on the following from January 2020 to September 2026:



1. The number of complaints received by your Trading Standards service relating to the sale or supply of mattresses or beds suspected of being unsafe or non-compliant.



2. The number of investigations undertaken by your Trading Standards service relating to mattresses or beds suspected of being unsafe or non-compliant.



3. The number of mattresses or beds seized, removed from sale, or otherwise prevented from being supplied as a result of Trading Standards action.



4. Where already recorded and readily available, the reason for any seizure, removal from sale or other enforcement action, for example concerns relating to fire safety, product safety, labelling or counterfeit products.



*Note: For the purposes of this request, "unsafe or non-compliant" is intended to include mattresses or beds where Trading Standards has identified, suspected or investigated concerns relating to product safety, fire safety, construction or materials, labelling or safety information, applicable product regulations or standards, counterfeit products, or other regulatory non-compliance.



Historic examples of relevant Trading Standards concerns have included "mattress scams", mattresses that failed fire safety tests, and sellers using false brand trademarks. This is intended as a broad description rather than an exhaustive definition, and I would be grateful for information based on the categories or classifications already used by your service.*



I confirm that I am not seeking any personal or identifying information.



' Please provide the information in electronic format, preferably as an Excel spreadsheet or a CSV file.

1. The number of complaints received by your Trading Standards service relating to the sale or supply of mattresses or beds suspected of being unsafe or non-compliant.

501 complaints relating to beds or mattresses were received during this period.

Of these, 66 included concerns expressed by the consumer that the product was unsafe or related to a potential scam.

Of the 66 complaints, 50 referenced safety concerns and 16 referenced potential scams.

Eight of the 66 complaints specifically referenced fire safety concerns, including the absence of a fire safety label, the correct fire safety label or concerns that the product was not fire safe.

2. The number of investigations undertaken by your Trading Standards service relating to mattresses or beds suspected of being unsafe or non-compliant.

14 complaints investigated by Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

3. The number of mattresses or beds seized, removed from sale, or otherwise prevented from being supplied as a result of Trading Standards action.

1 complaint resulted in an unknown number of beds voluntarily removed from sale by the trader whilst they undertook an internal investigation and corrective actions.

4. Where already recorded and readily available, the reason for any seizure, removal from sale or other enforcement action, for example concerns relating to fire safety, product safety, labelling or counterfeit products.

The removal from sale related to non compliance with the British Standards for bunk bed safety which is intended to reduce the risk of someone falling from the top bunk.