Draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Debate between Kanishka Narayan and Ben Spencer

Tuesday 4th November 2025 General Committees

[Kanishka Narayan]

I thank hon. Members for their contributions. I will address first the questions that were asked.

I thank the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge for his warm welcome. On the question of how assurances were sought about the equivalence of the Japanese and Singaporean standards, the maturity of those standards and the time for which the countries have been implementing them have been particularly material assurances. Japan and Singapore have aligned their security requirements and labelling schemes to the globally accepted ETSI EN 303 645 standard, which happens to be the same standard that underpins the UK’s PSTI regime. Therefore, products that have a valid label issued by Japan or Singapore will meet the security requirements specified in our regime. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, as the regulator of the regime as a whole, is equipped with a comprehensive set of enforcement powers and will continue to keep under review any mutual recognition agreements.

Of course the Government recognise the strategic importance of the European Union as the UK’s largest trading partner, and we will explore opportunities to reduce technical barriers to trade in the security space in that context, too.

On the question of benefits, my understanding is that we have had representations from a number of small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, about how this measure will open up export markets in Japan and Singapore, allow Japanese and Singaporean firms to trade, and ensure that British consumers can benefit. I do not have a number to give, but I hope very much that we will see the benefits of that freer flow of trade in connected devices very soon.

On the cyber-security context, more everyday products than ever before are connected to the internet, ranging from smart TVs to fitness trackers and voice assistants. From April 2024 to March 2025, we surveyed the participation of consumers and found that 96% of folks personally owned and used a smartphone, 76% a smart TV, and 68% a laptop computer. It is now very rare to find a UK household that does not own a connected device in the scope of these regulations; less than 1% of people reported that they did not own a smartphone, laptop, desktop PC, tablet, games console, smart printer or smart TV.

This growing connectivity brings convenience but also new risks. The Government have taken action to ensure that UK consumers and businesses purchasing consumer connectable products are better protected from the risk of cyber-attacks, fraud or even, in the most serious cases, physical danger. The cyber-security regulatory landscape is evolving, with countries around the world, including Japan and Singapore, introducing similar regimes. The UK must remain agile and forward-looking to maintain its leadership in this space. The draft regulations will ensure that the UK remains a global leader in product cyber-security, while strengthening our position as an attractive destination for digital innovation and trade.

By recognising Japanese and Singaporean IOT labelling schemes, we are reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, supporting UK businesses to expand internationally and enabling Japanese and Singaporean manufacturers to bring compliant products to our market more efficiently. This measure is a practical step forward in delivering the Government’s mission to drive economic growth and build a more resilient digital economy. It also complements our efforts to harmonise security standards across major economies, in partnership with Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Germany, Finland, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Singapore and Hungary, via the global cyber-security labelling initiative. With forecasts suggesting that the global IOT market will grow to 24.1 billion devices by 2030, generating more than £1.1 trillion in annual revenue, it is more essential than ever that we enhance the security of connected products on a global scale.

[Dr Spencer]

The Minister has referred a few times to cyber-security strategy. Can he update us on when we will see the Government’s cyber-security and resilience Bill?

[Kanishka Narayan]

I am afraid that I cannot commit to a legislative timeline, but we want to move very fast on the Bill and are looking for the right opportunity in Parliament to introduce it.

The draft regulations are a significant step in achieving our goal for cyber-security. I look forward to continuing this work and building on the momentum we have established.

Question put and agreed to.