Policy background
Much of the UK product safety and metrology framework is derived from European Union (EU) law and has developed over the past four decades, whilst the UK was a member. On leaving the EU, the UK set up an independent UK regulatory regime. However, this body of law remains broadly as it was when we left and the Government considers updates are required to be able to adapt to new technologies and changes in the way consumers buy products.
	The Act provides the necessary powers to update the legislative framework, supporting economic growth, providing regulatory stability and delivering more protection for consumers by:
responding to new product risks and opportunities to enable the UK to keep pace with technological advances, such as AI, and address issues such as incidents from ingesting button batteries and fire risks associated with e-bikes.
identifying new and emerging business models in the supply chain, ensuring the responsibilities of those involved in the supply of products, such as online marketplaces (which are online platforms that connect third-party sellers to consumers for distance sale and purchasing of products), are clear and modernised for increasingly complex supply chains, to support consumers’ confidence in the products they buy and from whom they buy them.
ensuring that the law can be updated to allow a means of recognising new or updated EU product requirements, with the intention of preventing additional costs for businesses and providing regulatory stability; or to end such recognition if this is the right decision for the UK.
enabling improvements to compliance and enforcement, reflecting the challenges of modern, digital borders. This Act seeks to enable the Government and its regulators to tackle non-compliance and target interventions by allowing greater sharing of data between regulators and market surveillance authorities.
updating the legal metrology framework, which governs the accuracy of weights and measures for purchased goods. This seeks to give consumers and business confidence in what they are buying and to allow for technological progress, including in support of net zero aims and infrastructure, for example enabling innovation whilst ensuring energy smart meters are accurate in their readings.