Latest news with #UKCA
Fashion United
12 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Third of children's sunglasses sold online pose 'serious risk'
A third of children's sunglasses bought from online marketplaces, including Amazon, AliExpress, Ebay, TikTok, Shein and Temu, do not provide the eye protection required and are unsafe to wear, according to a new investigation from Which?, a UK consumer champion that tests and reviews products. Which? researchers bought 20 pairs of kids' sunglasses from the six online marketplaces and found that UV protection levels were found to be dangerously low for two of the pairs tested, despite claiming to have full UV protection, while some offer significantly different protection from one lens to the other, when good sunglasses should offer the same protection in both lenses. It also noted that while several models look enticing, especially to children, with heart or cat-shaped lenses or vintage styles, they either made misleading claims about their ability to block UV rays or had inconsistent UV filtering. All of the sunglasses tested were found to be missing key information, labels and markings, such as CE or UK Conformity Assessed markings (UKCA), which are required for them to be sold in the UK legally. As a result, none of the 20 pairs of sunglasses bought from online marketplaces can be sold legally in the UK, said Which?, which has labelled the sunglasses as Don't Buys and would urge consumers to avoid them. Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, said: 'With summer holidays approaching, it is understandable that parents will want to buy their children sunglasses, and kids and parents alike might be tempted by some of the cheap and trendy options sold online. 'Our research shows many of these models are so ineffective as to be dangerous for children to wear and this is a consequence of online marketplaces having no real responsibility or incentive for taking safety seriously. 'The government's Product Regulation and Metrology Bill must be strengthened to include legal responsibilities for online marketplaces to ensure the products they sell on their sites are safe, with heavy fines for those that fall short of the required standards.' In response to the research, an Amazon spokesperson added: 'Safety is a top a priority, and we require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies. We continuously monitor our store and take action to maintain a safe selection for our customers, including removing non-compliant products and reaching out to sellers, manufacturers, and government agencies for additional information. 'If customers have concerns about an item they've purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and help resolve their issue. The products in questions have been removed.' AliExpress, Shein, Temu and TikTok told Which? that it had removed the items that failed the tests from its platforms, while Ebay stated it was 'proactively' preventing prohibited listings through seller compliance audits, block filter algorithms for unsafe listings, and AI-supported monitoring by our team of in-house specialists.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Summer outfits that can land drivers with a £5K fine
If police believe a driver's outfit has affected their ability to drive safely or contributed to an accident they could be penalised Motorists are being warned that certain types of clothes and shoes they wear when driving could actually land them in trouble with the law. Driving whilst wearing items including flip-flops, oversized sunglasses, long skirts and wide-brimmed hats could lead to a £100 fine and three penalty points. With many Brits heading to beaches, festivals, and pub gardens this summer, experts are urging drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel in these potentially risky wardrobe choices. Although there are no specific laws banning certain clothes or accessories while driving, Rule 97 of the Highway Code advises motorists to ensure that 'clothing and footwear do not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.' If police believe your outfit has affected your ability to drive safely or contributed to an accident, you could be penalised for careless driving - even if your clothing seems harmless. Driving without full control due to inappropriate attire can be treated as careless driving, leading to a £100 fine and three penalty points. In more serious cases, such as accidents or significant loss of control, fines could rise to £5,000, with nine penalty points or even a driving ban. John Wilmot, CEO and founder of car leasing deals site commented: 'It's easy to overlook how your choice of clothing or footwear can affect your driving, especially in hot weather, but even something as simple as a pair of flip-flops or a long skirt can reduce your control of a vehicle. 'If this leads to an accident or you're stopped by police, you could face serious consequences. 'So we're urging all drivers to think practically before getting behind the wheel this spring and summer - your outfit shouldn't compromise your safety or anyone else's.' How do avoid driving fines this summer Flip-flops or backless sandals They may be comfortable and go with most summer outfits, but they also offer little grip or control, and they can easily slip off or get caught under the pedals. Wearing this kind of footwear could even be deemed as driving without due care and attention, which incurs a penalty of £100 and three points on your licence. Sunglasses Wearing sunglasses is a smart way to reduce glare while driving in bright summer conditions - but not all sunglasses are road safe. If your shades are too dark or don't have the correct CE or UKCA markings*, they could impair your vision rather than improve it. Sunglasses labelled as Category 4, for example, are too dark for driving and can land you in trouble. Always check the serial numbers and markings to make sure your eyewear is suitable and legal for use on the road. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. High heels Whether you're heading to a summer party or just like the added height, high heels can significantly reduce your ability to operate pedals smoothly. Again, if your footwear affects your control of the vehicle, you could be hit with a £100 fine and three points on your licence. Loose or long skirts and dresses Flowy summer outfits might help keep you cool, but extra-long or baggy material could get caught on the pedals or gear stick. If your clothing prevents you from driving safely, you could be penalised. Swimwear or shirtless driving Don't be tempted to drive home from the beach in your swimwear or without a shirt as minimal clothing could be seen as inappropriate or even distracting to other drivers. While not against the law on its own, you might still face questions from police if your outfit is considered unsafe or a distraction. Driving barefoot reduces your ability to apply pressure to the pedals and could result in less control. While it's not technically illegal, if you're involved in an accident or stopped by police, you could still be penalised for unsafe driving. Wide brimmed hats They're stylish and great for sun protection, but large sun hats can obstruct your peripheral vision or even fall forward and block your view. If your hat interferes with your ability to see the road, it could be considered unsafe
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh firm's new high street cataract treatment receives investment boost
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Edinburgh Biosciences, the company behind a revolutionary new non-surgical treatment for cataracts has received a £2.3m loan investment from Contamac Ltd a company whose major shareholder is also a major shareholder in Edinburgh Biosciences. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The funding will support the launch of Revisyon, the Edinburgh-based company's new technology as it approaches the final stages of market readiness and initiates commercial activities. This latest round of funding follows £2 million raised from Innofield Biotechnology Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boye Biotech in 2023, as part of a licensing and equity investment deal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh Biosciences has recently completed clinical trials on Revisyon, which, in a world first, will allow cataract treatment to move from the operating theatre to the high street. Revisyon Treatment Model The new treatment, which can be delivered by an optometrist, will radically improve and shorten the care pathway for the millions of people awaiting cataract surgery each year. Edinburgh Biosciences expects to receive the UKCA mark by the end of this year and will then bring Revisyon to market. Speaking about the launch, CEO Graham Bell said, 'We are at a really exciting stage as we prepare to launch Revisyon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This technology has the capability to transform our approach to cataract treatment. We have backers who support our vision and are equally excited about the global possibilities presented by Revisyon.' Dr Graham Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Edinburgh Biosciences Bell presented initial clinical trial findings at the LSX World Congress in London on 29th April. Trial results show that Revisyon improves visual acuity. Full clinical trial data is expected to be published over the summer. The new treatment, initially conceived by Edinburgh Biosciences' founder, Prof Desmond Smith OBE, is based on his vast body of work on light-based technologies. He discovered that lower power LED light had the ability to treat cataracts and started development of the new treatment. After extensive research, the company discovered that light of a specific wavelength had the ability to reverse the build up of aggregates which causes the lens to become cloudy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prof Smith passed away in 2023 before seeing his invention come to fruition but his family and colleagues have continued his pioneering work which, to date, has seen the creation of a prototype and final model of the testing equipment, development of software, completion of clinical trials and preparation for regulatory submission as well as research amongst opticians and optometrists. The professor's daughter, Dr Nicky Abraham, has maintained a minority shareholding in the business. Speaking about her father's legacy, she said, 'The family is delighted that dad's legacy will live on through Revisyon and the continued work of Edinburgh Biosciences. 'He was absolutely passionate about his work around fluorescence and light-based technologies and the ability to use them to diagnose and treat cataracts. 'It's amazing to see his final project come to life.'
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh firm's new high street cataract treatment receives investment boost
Edinburgh Biosciences, the company behind a revolutionary new non-surgical treatment for cataracts has received a £2.3m loan investment from Contamac Ltd a company whose major shareholder is also a major shareholder in Edinburgh Biosciences. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The funding will support the launch of Revisyon, the Edinburgh-based company's new technology as it approaches the final stages of market readiness and initiates commercial activities. This latest round of funding follows £2 million raised from Innofield Biotechnology Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boye Biotech in 2023, as part of a licensing and equity investment deal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh Biosciences has recently completed clinical trials on Revisyon, which, in a world first, will allow cataract treatment to move from the operating theatre to the high street. Revisyon Treatment Model The new treatment, which can be delivered by an optometrist, will radically improve and shorten the care pathway for the millions of people awaiting cataract surgery each year. Edinburgh Biosciences expects to receive the UKCA mark by the end of this year and will then bring Revisyon to market. Speaking about the launch, CEO Graham Bell said, 'We are at a really exciting stage as we prepare to launch Revisyon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This technology has the capability to transform our approach to cataract treatment. We have backers who support our vision and are equally excited about the global possibilities presented by Revisyon.' Dr Graham Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Edinburgh Biosciences Bell presented initial clinical trial findings at the LSX World Congress in London on Apri 29l. Trial results show that Revisyon improves visual acuity. Full clinical trial data is expected to be published over the summer. The new treatment, initially conceived by Edinburgh Biosciences' founder, Prof Desmond Smith OBE, is based on his vast body of work on light-based technologies. He discovered that lower power LED light had the ability to treat cataracts and started development of the new treatment. After extensive research, the company discovered that light of a specific wavelength had the ability to reverse the build up of aggregates which causes the lens to become cloudy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prof Smith passed away in 2023 before seeing his invention come to fruition but his family and colleagues have continued his pioneering work which, to date, has seen the creation of a prototype and final model of the testing equipment, development of software, completion of clinical trials and preparation for regulatory submission as well as research amongst opticians and optometrists. The professor's daughter, Dr Nicky Abraham, has maintained a minority shareholding in the business. Speaking about her father's legacy, she said, 'The family is delighted that dad's legacy will live on through Revisyon and the continued work of Edinburgh Biosciences. 'He was absolutely passionate about his work around fluorescence and light-based technologies and the ability to use them to diagnose and treat cataracts.
Business Wire
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Augurex Announces UKCA Authorization for SPINEstat™, Expanding Access to a First-in-Class Diagnostic Blood Test for Axial Spondyloarthritis to Great Britain
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Augurex Life Sciences, a leader in autoimmune biomarker-based diagnostics, today announced that SPINEstat™ has received UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), authorizing the blood test for clinical use and listing it as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) in Great Britain. "By enabling earlier detection of this debilitating condition, SPINEstat™ empowers healthcare professionals to intervene sooner and improve outcomes for patients.' Share SPINEstat™ is a blood test that detects auto-antibodies to the 14-3-3eta protein and provides physicians with a new objective tool to assist in the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a chronic inflammatory disease that commonly presents as persistent back pain. Symptoms often begin before the age of 45 and can lead to irreversible spinal fusion and reduced mobility if left untreated. With a well-documented average delay of 7–10 years between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, many patients with axSpA can endure years of back pain coupled with disease progression and disability. SPINEstat™ can help bridge this diagnostic gap by assisting physicians in differentiating axSpA from other forms of mechanical or chronic back pain. 'The MHRA authorization of SPINEstat™ represents a major step forward in improving the diagnostic pathway for axSpA in the UK,' said Neil Klompas, CEO of Augurex. 'As we grow our global footprint, this milestone reflects our commitment to expand access of advanced precision diagnostics for autoimmune diseases. By enabling earlier detection of this debilitating condition, SPINEstat™ empowers healthcare professionals to intervene sooner and improve outcomes for patients.' With this UKCA authorization, Augurex continues its mission to improve autoimmune disease detection globally, equipping physicians with next-generation diagnostic tools that are evidence-based and clinically actionable. About Augurex Augurex is a commercial stage diagnostics company dedicated to the early identification and diagnosis of autoimmune disorders, allowing treatment options to be optimized and personalized for patients around the world. Augurex's lead diagnostic test, which detects the 14-3-3eta protein, available as JOINTstat® in Canada and Great Britain, is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. The analyte-specific reagents to detect 14-3-3eta are available for purchase and use by U.S. clinical laboratories as a component of diagnostic tests developed by such laboratories. The Anti-14-3-3eta Multiplex ASRs, available as SPINEstat™ in Canada and Great Britain, expands Augurex's biomarker-informed diagnostic autoimmune solutions into axial spondyloarthritis, an autoimmune disease often misdiagnosed as low back pain, and which if untreated can lead to impaired spinal mobility and fusion of the vertebrae. Learn more about Augurex at and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
