Tough new laws to make online marketplaces safer
New laws are being introduced to make online marketplaces safer and protect the public from dangerous products, it was announced today. The new legislation will provide powers to target new and emerging dangers and hold online marketplaces to account for dangerous products sold through their platforms, creating a level playing field with bricks and mortar stores.
The rising popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, the Department for Business and Trade says, has brought with it an increase in safety incidents – the Office for Product Safety and Standards in 2024 received reports on 211 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters - equivalent to a fire every 1.7 days.
Most of these reports (175) were from London Fire Brigade, and many were caused by unsafe lithium-ion batteries purchased through online marketplaces.
To help address the sale of unsafe products like these by online marketplaces, the Government intends to introduce requirements for online marketplaces at the earliest opportunity to update their responsibilities. These will create a proportionate regulatory framework where online marketplaces are expected to:
- prevent unsafe products from being made available to consumers
- ensure that sellers operating on their platform comply with product safety obligations
- provide relevant information to consumers;
- and cooperate closely with regulators.
Product Safety Minister Justin Madders said: “By giving regulators the teeth to clamp down on unsafe products, we’re ensuring people can shop with confidence whether online or on the high street. This will establish a level playing field and mean online marketplaces are held to the same high standards as bricks and mortar shops, ensuring we back businesses and protect consumers as part of our Plan for Change.”
Have you ever bought something seemingly legitimate but totally unsafe online - a product that has caught on fire, say, or potentially caused harm? If so, tell us all about it. And if you're a retailer, share your views, too.
