The UK government has announced plans to revamp the country’s product safety regime to enhance public protection and ensure its relevance in the digital age. This move comes in response to consumer organizations’ long-standing concerns about the sale of dangerous goods, ranging from electric heaters to kitchen blenders, online. Urgent action is now deemed necessary instead of further delays.
The government aims to update product safety laws, some of which are over three decades old, to align them with modern shopping habits and account for technological advancements like internet-connected devices and artificial intelligence. They highlight that a significant portion of the current legislation is based on outdated EU laws, and with the UK’s departure from the bloc, there is an opportunity to establish a new product safety regime.
This announcement follows the government’s recent decision to retain the EU’s CE product safety mark indefinitely, advocating for continuity amidst post-Brexit changes. Additionally, alongside the product safety review, the government plans to launch a consultation on proposed fire safety rules for domestic upholstered furniture to enhance consumer standards.
For years, there have been calls for swift action regarding unsafe household goods. In September 2021, an MP committee cautioned that the UK’s product safety regime was ill-equipped to prevent tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire, initiated by a faulty fridge freezer. As online shopping prevails and regulators assume new responsibilities after Brexit, concerns have grown regarding digital firms like Amazon and eBay, who are not held accountable for the safety of third-party sold items.
Consumer group Which? has consistently exposed hazardous products sold on online marketplaces, urging immediate action to modernize online shopping safety measures instead of prolonged indecision. Sue Davies, the head of consumer rights and food policy at Which?, emphasized the urgent need for the government to prioritize consumer safety, establish new regulations, and enforce strict consequences for rule-breaking businesses, including online marketplaces.
The government must prioritize the safety of online shoppers and implement legislation to eliminate the unfair exemption of online marketplaces from safety laws applicable to high street retailers, according to the charity Electrical Safety First. They believe that the upcoming king’s speech provides an ideal opportunity to address this issue.
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch expressed her determination to leverage post-Brexit flexibility in identifying outdated EU laws that burden businesses unnecessarily. The proposed changes aim to enhance consumer protection, maintain exceptional safety standards, reduce costs for businesses, foster innovation, and stimulate economic growth.
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