Published: 5 September 2024
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill laid in new Parliament on 4 September 2024
As part of the King’s Speech on 17 July, the new UK Government proposed to present the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, a critical piece of legislation that will affect all businesses involved in manufacturing, importing and selling products in the UK, in the next Parliament.
Under the new Bill, the Government intends to address ‘modern day safety issues’, which includes ensuring a level playing field between the high street and online marketplaces – something the Ladder Association has been calling on the Government to do for many years.
The Ladder Association consulted with our members last year to respond to the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) Product Safety Review consultation, and we continue to raise awareness of the issue of substandard imported ladders for sale in the UK via our ongoing ‘Step Up to Safe Ladders’ campaign.
Progress, as the Bill is laid in Parliament this week
Not all King’s Speech Bills move forward (quickly or at all).
However, the Ladder Association has today confirmed the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was laid before Parliament on 4 September.
What does this mean for consumers and industry?
This welcome progress is good news not only for the ladder industry, but should provide more much-needed protection for consumers when buying all manner of height safety products – or any products, of any kind, for the home and workplace.
This an Enabling Bill which provides powers to enable the Secretary of State to make or amend product regulations; respond to new hazards and threats; make specific provision for online marketplaces; update enforcement requirements; and update the legal metrology framework.
The Bill will also give the OPSS greater regulatory powers to hold manufacturers, importers and now, online marketplaces, accountable for the safety of the products they’re selling, and be able to take the necessary enforcement action to keep ladder users safe.
What’s next?
Bills can start in either of the two Houses, the House of Lords or the House of Commons. Both Houses have set stages to debate, examine and suggest changes to the draft. Both Houses must agree the final text of the bill before it can be signed off by the monarch (Royal Assent) and become an Act of Parliament (law). Read more about the stages involved >
With the 1st reading in the House of Lords complete, the 2nd reading is scheduled for 8 October 2024.
We will keep you updated as this important Bill progresses.
