The 2nd reading was introduced this week by Lord Leong who welcomed the bill to tackle modern day safety issues, provide consumers with greater confidence that products they buy are safe to use, and to significantly improve data sharing between regulators and market surveillance authorities to enable them to take appropriate enforcement action.
He highlighted the necessity of the bill to ensure a level playing field between the high street and online marketplaces and to clarify responsibilities of the online supply chain, commenting, “Without these powers it will remain far too easy for unscrupulous suppliers to place unsafe products on the UK market through online marketplaces, and in doing so, also undercut good UK businesses.”
During the 4-hour long debate the bill was overall well-supported. Many members acknowledged the explosive growth of online marketplaces and the associated product safety risks, referencing unsafe e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries as products that have hit the headlines in recent months with devastating consequences.
Members of the Lords did however raise concerns on several areas that will need to be addressed to move forward; the lack of public response to the Product Safety Review consultation last year (for which the Ladder Association consulted with our members in our response), future alignment with EU regulatory framework, and the costs of enforcement, amongst others.