BSIF Joins Call for Online Retailers to be Held Accountable for Sale of Unsafe Products

THE BRITISH Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is calling for online marketplaces to be held accountable for unsafe products sold through their platforms.

The group is urging the government to introduce strong secondary legislation to support the new Product Regulation and Metrology (PRAM) Act.

Passed in July 2025, the PRAM Act establishes a framework to protect consumers imposing new duties on online marketplaces and equips regulators with tougher enforcement powers. However, effectiveness of this framework will depend on robust and enforceable secondary legislation, the coalition says.

The news comes as the Ladder Association has repeatedly found that ladders sold on online retailers such as Ebay and Amazon failed basic safety tests. Up to 70% of ladders tested failed tests for compliance with the safety standard EN 131-4, despite them being marked on the product or packaging as compliant.

Call for Accountability

In an open letter to the Minister Justin Madders MP, the coalition sets out the consensus among UK businesses, consumer groups, and public safety organisations in support of secondary regulations that would:

• Introduce a clear duty to make online marketplaces accountable for the safety of all products sold, including proactively preventing the sale of unsafe products on their platforms.
• Empower regulators to issue heavy fines or to then take further enforcement action for online marketplaces that fall short of the required standards.

The health and safety sector has long seen the dangers of non-compliant and unsafe PPE entering the UK market through online channels.

BSIF CEO, John Hooker, comments: “The BSIF strongly welcomes the PRAM Act as a significant step in strengthening product safety and protecting the integrity of the UK marketplace. However, legislation on its own is insufficient. We share the view that only firm, consistently enforced rules with real sanctions will stop online marketplaces from enabling unsafe products to reach buyers.

“Robust enforcement is essential not only to safeguard buyers but also to guarantee fair competition for responsible businesses, including BSIF members, who invest in compliance and safety. We look forward to working closely with government, regulators, and industry partners to ensure the Act delivers meaningful improvements in product safety across all sales channels.”

Policy leads at the Department for Business and Trade say they are preparing proposals for ministerial approval.

>> Read more about BSIF in the news