Government launches major overhaul of product safety laws to tackle dangers of online shopping
Ministers have opened three public consultations on sweeping reforms to consumer product safety rules, targeting unsafe goods sold through online marketplaces and closing loopholes exposed by the rise of e-commerce and new technologies.
The government has unveiled plans for the most significant overhaul of product safety regulations in years, with new measures designed to hold online marketplaces to the same standards as high street shops and protect consumers from dangerous goods.
Published on 31 March 2026, three separate consultations set out proposals to modernise the UK's product safety framework, which ministers say has been "stretched to its limit" by globalised supply chains, rapid technological change, and the explosive growth of online retail.
The reforms, enabled by the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, aim to clamp down on unscrupulous sellers, clarify the responsibilities of businesses in the supply chain, and close gaps in consumer protection that have allowed unsafe products to reach buyers.
Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Consumer Protection, said: "These reforms are about making our product safety system fit for the modern world — shutting loopholes, clamping down on unsafe online sales, and giving responsible businesses the certainty they need to grow."
She added: "People need to trust the products they buy and use every day, so I'm urging consumer groups, businesses and the public to have their say and help us build a safer future."
What the consultations cover
The first consultation proposes a wider scope for the new product safety framework, reducing gaps and potential loopholes in consumer protection. It includes updating how a "safe" product is defined and assessed, and clarifying the definitions of businesses that fall within scope — ensuring everyone involved in the supply of products has a responsibility to proactively protect consumers.
A second consultation addresses enforcement and market surveillance, setting out reforms intended to make it simpler and more effective to take action when unsafe products are identified. The government also plans to introduce legislation giving businesses greater flexibility in how products are labelled, including allowing key information such as the UKCA marking and importer details to be provided digitally rather than solely in physical formats.
The third consultation focuses specifically on reviewing the UK's furniture fire safety regulations, a long-standing area of concern for consumer safety groups.
The government highlighted fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in products such as e-bikes as among the serious incidents demonstrating the real risks posed by unsafe goods and the urgent need for reform.
What happens next
All three consultations are open for 12 weeks and will close on 23 June 2026. Stakeholders, businesses, consumer groups, and members of the public are encouraged to respond. The Department for Business and Trade said the responses would help shape a safer and more modern regulatory system for the UK.
The reforms are also intended to create a level playing field for responsible businesses, many of which have argued they are undercut by sellers operating through online platforms without meeting the same safety standards required of traditional retailers.