The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has published its response to the recent call for evidence on product safety in the UK (“Response”). In line with the government’s aim to capitalise on Brexit opportunities, the Response emphasises that the UK now has a genuine opportunity to “think boldly” about how to regulate product safety. One concern that is not addressed in detail in the Response is the risk that divergence from the EU product safety and regulatory regime could actually make the UK less attractive for business and in fact discourage innovation within the UK.

The European Commission, on 30 June 2021, proposed reforms to the General Product Safety Directive in the form of a Regulation, intended to safeguard consumers.

The European Commission, on 30 June 2021, proposed reforms to the General Product Safety Directive in the form of a Regulation, intended to safeguard consumers. The Proposal makes substantial amendments to the GPSD, which has been in place for the last 20 years, seeks to increase the protection offered to EU consumers in respect of products they purchase, both in store and online, whilst also addressing challenges posed by today’s modern world, which has been reshaped by digitalization and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In brief The UK government has set out its plans to explore changes to the UK’s product safety and product liability laws (Review). The Review, which has been commenced by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS, the UK government’s product safety body which was established in 2018) and…

On 24 December 2020, the UK Government reached an agreement with the EU on the highly anticipated Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The TCA was ratified by the UK Parliament on 30 December 2020 and will be applied provisionally in the EU from 1 January 2021, pending ratification by the EU Parliament in early 2021.

The TCA contains minimal provisions to enable the UK and EU to cooperate on the regulation of products placed on both markets and therefore most businesses will need to address EU and UK product compliance separately. 

As the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt around the world, businesses continue to face significant levels of instability and uncertainty caused by weakened financial markets and disruption to supply chains, workplace operations and business pipelines. Such instability and uncertainty will result in a growth in the number and…

On 1 September 2020, the UK Government published new guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021. The full guidance issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy can be viewed here. The guidance informs manufacturers, distributors and importers on their changing obligations…

As the effects of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to be felt around the world, businesses face significant levels of instability and uncertainty caused by weakened financial markets and disruption to supply chains, workplace operations and business pipelines. It is almost certain that such instability and uncertainty will result in…

Overview The disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is having a major impact on projects both in development and operation. What started the year as an epidemic threatening a loss of supply from China has broadened to a global pandemic impacting on our deals, employees and practices. As dynamic as…

The UK Government has over 10,000 civil servants currently preparing for Brexit. Whilst the terms of Brexit remain uncertain, the Government is nevertheless pushing forward with proposals to make necessary legal changes. Below is a summary of the changes to the UK’s product liability and safety laws that will potentially be implemented on…