The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (PRMA) received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025, marking a significant shift in the UK’s approach to product safety, measurement standards, and consumer protection. This legislation provides the government with the authority to introduce detailed regulations through secondary legislation, enabling a more adaptable and responsive regulatory framework.
What is the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025?
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (PRMA) represents a significant step forward in reforming the UK’s product safety and measurement regulations. The UK’s current product safety framework, rooted in earlier EU law, has struggled to keep pace with evolving market conditions, particularly in the wake of post-Brexit changes. The EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation, which addresses challenges posed by technological advancements and the growing influence of online marketplaces, came into force in December 2024. However, these updates do not apply in the UK, leaving a regulatory gap.
The PRMA aims to fill that gap by modernising the UK’s product safety and measurement frameworks. After passing all stages in the House of Lords and completing its third reading in the House of Commons on 1 April 2025, the Bill received Royal Assent in July 2025. The Act provides the UK government with the authority to introduce specific regulations through secondary legislation, addressing the growing complexities of product safety in today’s market, including new technological products and the impact of online sales.
The PRMA serves as an enabling framework, granting the Secretary of State the power to establish specific product safety and metrology regulations. It covers a broad spectrum of products, including both tangible items and intangible components like software. However, it excludes food, medicines, medical devices, military equipment, and aircraft from its scope; these categories are regulated under separate, specific laws and frameworks..
The Act empowers regulators to enforce compliance through various means, such as monitoring, investigation, and the imposition of sanctions. It also allows for the creation of new criminal offences and civil sanctions for non-compliance with product safety and metrology regulations. Additionally, the Act facilitates information sharing among enforcement bodies and emergency services to enhance public safety.
How does it affect businesses?
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 does not immediately impose new compliance requirements but sets the stage for forthcoming regulations with significant implications for businesses in several key areas:
- Product safety and compliance: The Act introduces enhanced obligations around product safety. Businesses will need to ensure their products meet safety standards, which could involve risk assessments, ongoing testing, and maintaining up-to-date technical documentation to demonstrate compliance. This is especially relevant for both physical and digital products.
- Online marketplaces: The Act extends compliance obligations to online platforms. Businesses operating in or selling through online marketplaces must ensure that unsafe products are not sold and that sellers comply with product safety standards. Platforms will be required to take a more proactive role in monitoring product safety and collaborating with regulators. This is particularly important for businesses that operate in e-commerce.
- Measurement standards: Companies involved in producing or selling measuring instruments will need to comply with updated metrology standards to ensure accuracy and safety. These regulations may apply to a wide range of industries, including engineering, technology, and manufacturing.
- Environmental considerations: While the Act doesn’t automatically align UK product regulations with EU environmental laws, it provides the government with the authority to do so in the future. This could impact businesses that trade internationally, particularly those selling in both the UK and EU, by requiring them to meet stricter environmental standards in the future.
What should businesses be doing now?
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 sets the stage for major changes, and businesses need to be proactive to ensure they stay compliant. Here’s how to get ready:
- Stay ahead of the curve: Don’t wait for the regulations to drop. Keep a close eye on government consultations and secondary legislation so you can anticipate changes and plan accordingly. Consider subscribing to regulatory updates or engaging with industry associations to stay informed.
- Audit your products now: Assess your current product range to ensure it meets both existing and upcoming safety and measurement standards. Identify areas that may need improvement, particularly if you’re expanding into new markets or offering more complex products (e.g., tech or e-commerce).
- Get your documentation in order: It’s not just about ticking boxes – maintaining detailed technical documentation is critical. Ensure you have up-to-date risk assessments, testing records, and conformity declarations that demonstrate compliance across the board. Be ready to provide this if regulators come knocking.
- Build relationships with regulators: Don’t wait for an issue to arise before you start talking to authorities. Establish communication with key regulators now to stay ahead of compliance shifts. This can help prevent surprises and give you clarity on how to handle complex regulatory changes.
- Future-proof your products: If you’re trading internationally, especially in the EU, take the time to align your products with both UK and EU environmental standards. This will ensure you’re not caught off guard as regulations evolve and will give you a competitive edge in the global market.
