We recently met officials from DBT and OPSS to catch up on the latest regulation and policy on product safety, including a summary of the new Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. It is a very useful summary of Government current and future intervention.

DBT/OPSS Industry Catch Up Summary

Minister

  • Justin Madders will be the new Minister in DBT responsible for product safety
  • Note: We have written to him to introduce us, your businesses with an offer to update on key retail issues (no response to date)

Product Regulation and Metrology Bill

  • OPSS updated us on the Bill. My summary based on this is on our website here
  • Key is this is an enabling Bill – key detail that will affect you will come in secondary legislation laid after the Bill becomes an Act
  • Likely to be Summer 2025 before we see that specific legislation laid before it comes into force
  • Focus is to update product safety, align with EU legislation where appropriate and regulate sales through online marketplaces
  • We will work with Government on Bill and secondary legislation. We are aiming to try and amend the Bill to ensure DBT/OPSS consult with industry before laying secondary legislation

CE Marking

  • Legislation to allow continued use of CE marking was agreed in May
  • Allows businesses to continue using CE until end of 2027 (although this could be extended under the new Product Regulation Bill)
  • Businesses will be free to use UKCA in GB if they want – may make conformity easier but not for products sold in the EU

E-Bikes and E-Scooters

  • OPSS continuing to target enforcement, both at border and on the market
  • Considering further guidance on use of batteries and charging
  • Continuing consumer comms to highlight risks

EU Common Charging Directive

  • Reminder – as Northern Ireland is covered by EU product safety law it applies there as well as the EU from end Dec 24 for most relevant equipment and laptops from Apr 26
  • Key is common chargers, improved information for consumers on what they are buying and option to buy without chargers
  • UK Govt will lay legislation in October to cover NI
  • Considering future regulation and whether this should apply across whole UK

UK-EU regulatory alignment

  • New Government keen to avoid unnecessary divergence
  • Continuing to discuss with EU as part of Brexit deal
  • New Product Regulation Bill has powers to ensure alignment in the future