A retailer's ability to sell a product safely depends on more than an assurance from its supplier. Manufacturers, importers and distributors need to understand their own responsibilities, obtain appropriate evidence and respond promptly when safety concerns arise.
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 provides powers to modernise product regulation. Its enactment should not be confused with the introduction of every measure contemplated by the government's reform programme.
What the reform changes
The Act received Royal Assent in July 2025. It enables regulations addressing product requirements, emerging risks and supply chains, including online marketplaces. The detail of an obligation depends on the regulations made under those powers and their commencement provisions.
The government's consultation on a new core product safety framework closed in June 2026. Its proposals concern matters including accountability within supply chains and product information. A consultation is not itself a new legal duty. Businesses assessing a proposed change should establish whether implementing regulations have been made and which products, activities and territories they cover.
Start with the rules that apply to the product
In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 remain an important baseline for consumer products. Product-specific legislation may apply instead, or alongside them where the general rules cover additional risks or obligations. Northern Ireland has a different framework; a compliance assessment for Great Britain should not be assumed to cover that market.
Under the general regime, producers must supply safe products and provide relevant safety information. Traceability and monitoring obligations also apply. Distributors must exercise due care and should not supply products they know, or should have presumed from the information available, are unsafe. A safety concern may trigger notification and corrective-action obligations; it should not be treated solely as a customer-service complaint.
Before placing an order, establish the business's role in the supply chain and obtain the evidence required by the applicable regime. This may include testing records, technical documentation, instructions, labelling and details identifying the responsible supplier. A certificate or conformity marking is not a substitute for checking that the evidence relates to the actual product and intended market.
Make the commercial arrangements workable
Supply agreements should address access to compliance documents, notification of defects, traceability, cooperation with regulators and responsibility for withdrawal or recall costs. Consider what happens if a supplier stops trading or cannot provide the necessary records. Contractual indemnities may allocate costs between the parties, but they do not remove statutory responsibilities.
A clear escalation procedure helps staff distinguish an isolated return from a potential safety issue affecting a wider batch. Preserve complaints and investigation records, and obtain advice before continuing sales where the safety position is uncertain.
Balaghi & Rose assists with supply agreements, commercial disputes and regulatory matters. Contact our team to discuss a supplier issue or enforcement concern.
General information only. This article concerns product safety in Great Britain and reflects the position checked on 26 October 2026. It is not legal advice.
