Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to increase safety of toys being sold online; and whether he plans to bring forward a strategy for online marketplaces to (a) improve their verification and complaints processes, (b) inform consumers when they are buying from a third party, (c) remove unsafe products, and (d) proactively identify unsafe products, such as recalled goods.

All toys placed on the UK market must meet essential safety requirements under the UK Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. This includes toys sold online, and online marketplaces have a significant role to play with regards to consumer safety.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is leading a national programme of regulatory action to tackle the risks from unsafe and non-compliant goods sold on online marketplaces. In 2021, 12,500 products (including toys) have been removed from supply due to OPSS interventions. OPSS is also running an expanded test purchasing programme, examining more than 1,000 products sold on online marketplaces to help ensure gifts given at Christmas are safe for families.

In parallel, the Government is undertaking a thorough review of the UK’s product safety framework, including the impact of e-commerce. Our aim is to ensure the framework remains robust and is future-proofed – so that it continues to protect consumers while enabling businesses to safely innovate and grow. A Call for Evidence to inform the review has been completed and the Government’s response is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-product-safety-review-call-for-evidence. In light of this, we are developing a full range of options to address the sale of unsafe products online and intend to consult in due course.