Electrical Product Safety Conference 2024

^{Conference host Susannah Streeter} 

Hosting the conference this year was Susannah Streeter, who has presented flagship global business shows on TV and radio in a broadcasting career spanning two decades and now provides expert analysis to the world’s media as part of her role as Head of Money and Markets for Hargreaves Lansdown retail investment platform.  

The Product and Metrology Bill 

A major focus of the day was the new UK government’s approach to ambitious product safety targets highlighted in the 2024 King’s Speech, and how it will advance the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill.  

In her address to the conference, Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, highlighted that the Bill has “the potential to be revolutionary in many ways”.

 ^{Electrical Safety First CEO Lesley Rudd giving the opening address}

She said: “It could start to finally address the twin threats of unsafe e-bikes and third-party sellers selling dangerous goods online. The Bill will have implications for manufacturers, retailers, retail platforms, regulators, and consumers but the devil will be in the detail.”   

“Our goal is to ensure this legislation is robust enough, leaving no gaps for future bad operators or dangerous products when it comes to consumer safety and protections.”   

The potential impact of the Bill was also addressed in the opening keynote speech from Justin Madders, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets at the Department for Business and Trade, who told delegates it would “give us the power we need to keep pace with the technology revolution”. 

^{Minister Justin Madders giving the Keynote address.}

He said: “The Bill arms the UK with the tools to tackle safety challenges and is the vehicle to enable us to handle new challenges. It is important that we deliver change as the world is getting more complicated. Government and industry can be most effective when they work together. 

“Over the last decade and a half, regulation has been a dirty word. But regulation supports growth and supports businesses to bring new products to market.” 

The first session saw a panel discussion about what is needed by the regulator and market surveillance authorities to support businesses while also protecting consumers within a new regulatory regime. And this was followed by an examination of the challenges in making e-micromobility safer from cradle-to-grave, and the need for a collaborative approach. 

Changing tide of global markets 

The afternoon sessions started with a look at the potential impacts of significant changes to online marketplace regulations, with enforcement on the cards for the UK and already underway globally. And the day was rounded off with a glimpse into a changing world – including the rise of connected products, digital product data, the race to net zero and how to empower consumers. 

Among the distinguished line-up of speakers were Sarah Smith from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) at the Department for Business and Trade, Wolfgang Weber, who heads eBay’s Global Regulatory and Criminal & Regulatory Investigations teams, and Alan Sellers, co-host of the BSI’s The Standards Show podcast. 

Safety Innovation Award 2024 

The conference also saw the announcement and presentation of the Safety Innovation Award 2024 to The Faraday Institution for its Safebatt Project, with the winning entry being interviewed on stage.