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…