Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets (): The Product Regulation
and Metrology Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on
21st July 2025. The Act will preserve the UK's status
as a global leader in product regulation, supporting businesses
and protecting consumers.
The powers set out in section 1(1)(a) of the Act allow the
Secretary of State to make regulations that seek to reduce or
mitigate the risks presented by products. Section 1(4) of the Act
sets out that, for the purposes of the Act, a product presents a
risk if, when used for the purpose for which it is intended or
under conditions which can reasonably be foreseen, it could:
a) endanger the health or safety of persons;
b) endanger the health or safety of domestic animals;
c) endanger property (including the operability of other
products); or
d) cause, or be susceptible to, electromagnetic disturbance.
Section 1(5) of the Act requires the Secretary of State to make a
statement setting out the process relating to the identification
and assessment of risks in products.
Today I have published an overview of the product risk
identification and assessment process that I would expect to be
followed. This can be found in the updated Product Safety Code of
Conduct, which sets out the legislative and non-legislative
safeguards around the UK's product safety framework, including
the use of the powers in the Act. The annex entitled ‘Risk
identification, assessment, and response' explains the process of
identifying and assessing risks, as well as consideration of
regulatory and non-regulatory responses. The Code of Conduct will
be kept under review and updated as appropriate to reflect any
future changes or updates to the safeguards. The updated Code of
Conduct is available on gov.uk and copies have been placed in the
Libraries of both Houses.
