Last week, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published its response to the Product Safety Review (PSR). This forms part of an ongoing review into the existing product safety framework and will help to shape future policy proposals. There were 158 responses to the consultation spanning a range of sectors including trade associations, manufacturers, and customer safety organisations.
The report includes a number of areas where non-legislative action could be taken to respond to issues raised in the call for evidence, such as online markets, support for enforcement authorities, and developing voluntary standards. OPSS has also recognised the need the need for a long-term approach and for there to be regulatory change to fully address the challenges raised by respondents.
OPSS have outlined a number of promising non-legislative proposals that relate to training and online markets, addressing challenges and driving long-term change. OPSS have said that legislative change would be required to introduce proposals such as e-labelling, and we will discuss this with them in future consultations.
Training and online markets
The OPSS has suggested several measures to protect consumers buying products online. This includes a programme focussing on safety and compliance of goods sold by third-party sellers and working with local authority Trading Standards services to challenge major online marketplaces and to remove unsafe products from circulation. OPSS is also exploring technologies that could be used to improve enforcement capabilities, as well as campaigns to keep consumers informed when shopping online.
OPSS has also recognised a need for simplification and consistency across powers. In the short term, they are aiming to clarify the scope of enforcement powers in guidance for enforcement authorities and to develop their support and training. Voluntary standards are also being considered with the BSI to help businesses understand how to ensure that only safe products are placed on the market.
Addressing challenges
Respondents raised a number of challenges to the product safety system such as protecting vulnerable consumers, increasing access to data and the push to Net Zero. In the short term, OPSS have said they will address these issues by developing an up-to-date risk assessment methodology to improve the usage and gathering of risk data and improving the functionality of the Product Safety Database. They will sponsor BSI to develop a standard to improve the inclusiveness of data used in standards making. Finally, voluntary standards are being considered for products to support the transition to Net Zero. Further detail on what these voluntary standards might look like would be beneficial for companies to share their views.
Driving long-term change
As the UK has left the EU, OPSS will carry out another consultation on a reform programme to ensure product safety regulations are appropriate for consumers and businesses and are suited to a globalised economy.
Next steps
This Government response gives us an early insight into potential future product safety policy proposals. techUK looks forward to working with Government to explore some of the proposals raised in the report, to ensure future proposals meet the needs of consumers and businesses.