The Department for Business and Trade published a consultation in October 2026 on the draft Product Safety and Metrology Bill, which would update the UK's product safety framework for the first time since the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. The Bill follows equivalent EU reforms and addresses the challenge of unsafe products sold through online marketplaces by non-UK sellers.
Key proposals. The consultation covers: (1) imposing liability on online marketplace operators (such as major e-commerce platforms) for unsafe products sold through their platforms by third-party sellers, where the operator knew or ought to have known of the safety risk — closing the gap exploited by sellers with no UK presence; (2) a new "AI-enabled product" category requiring manufacturers of consumer products with significant AI components to conduct additional safety assessments; (3) enhanced market surveillance powers for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS); and (4) a mandatory product recall notification service.
Current consumer rights. Under the existing framework, consumers who suffer injury from an unsafe product can claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 against the manufacturer or importer (but not usually the marketplace platform, under current rules). Claims for faulty goods against the seller are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — see the faulty goods refund guide. The consultation closes on 28 February 2027.