Lawyers representing people seriously injured by faulty products bought online say tougher laws are urgently needed to protect consumers and ensure access to justice.
“Dangerous products capable of causing suffocation, electrocution or serious burns are readily available through online marketplaces. When people are injured, they face a legal minefield because the current law is decades out of date,” said Pauline Roberts vice president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), ahead of Injury Awareness Week (22–26 June).
The Government is currently consulting on reforms to the UK's product safety framework, much of which dates back to the 1980s - long before the rise of online marketplaces and modern e-commerce.
“There is a worrying lack of accountability for online marketplaces when unsafe products are sold through their platforms,” Pauline said.
“The Government must seize this opportunity to modernise the law and close the gaps that leave injured consumers without effective remedies.”
People harmed by defective products – such as exploding e-bike batteries or children's toys containing loose parts – can face significant obstacles in securing compensation for treatment, rehabilitation, lost earnings and other financial losses arising from their injuries.
“Products sold through online marketplaces often involve complex international supply chains and third-party sellers, making it extremely difficult for injured consumers to identify and pursue those responsible for the harm caused,” Pauline explained.
“Online marketplaces should share legal responsibility with manufacturers for the safety of products sold on their sites. Consumers need clear statutory rights that reflect the realities of modern online shopping.”
APIL is also calling for products to be subject to the laws of the country in which they are sold.
“Regardless of where a product originates, it should be governed by the laws of the country where the consumer purchases it. A product bought by someone in England or Wales should be subject to the laws where they live. At present, that is not always the case,” Pauline said.
“This is not about restricting innovation or preventing businesses from trading online. It is about striking the right balance between commercial interests and consumer protection. Profit must never come before people's safety or their right to seek justice when preventable harm occurs.”