Product Safety, Regulatory and Liability Reform in the UK – what does 2026 have in store and what do businesses need to know?

2025 saw some significant changes in the UK’s Product Safety and Liability regime with the implementation of the UK Product Regulation and Metrology Act and the Law Commission’s launch of its full-scale review of the UK’s product liability regime.

Whilst these steps may seem to just concern procedural updates, taken together and when viewed next to the European Union’s new Product Liability Directive and General Product Safety Regulations, it is clear that there is strong intention within the UK for product legislation to be modernised.

The changes brought about by the above legislation will have implications for every business that manufacturers, imports, designs or sells products into the UK – product compliance in the UK is requiring more proactivity and becoming more demanding and all businesses should monitor these developments to ensure that they are prepared.

As set out below, the shifting landscape focuses not only on product safety but also on product liability.

Alongside the regulatory reform, the UK’s national product regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and Trading Standards are experiencing an increased focus on product safety driven by a heightened political emphasis on protecting consumers and evolving technology.

The changes will have implications for every business that manufacturers, imports, designs or sells products into the UK and their insurers - Product compliance in the UK is becoming more proactive and more demanding and all businesses should monitor these developments to ensure that they are prepared.

We discuss the legislative changes and Law Commission Review in our article.

We discuss the role of OPSS, Trading Standards and product safety legislation that all businesses must be aware of in our article.

In the event that support is required for businesses with any aspect of this article or any issues arising from product safety or product liability claims more generally, please contact Clyde & Co's Product Liability, Safety and Recall Team led by Partners, Peter Barnes and Charlotte Kelly.