Regulatory Trends in Product Safety: a 12-18 Month Outlook
This blog was originally posted on 1st February, 2023 and was updated on 23rd September, 2025. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
A 12-18 month outlook for regulatory trends in Product Safety
Although a mature area of regulation, recent times have seen a rapid evolution of rules globally, upending traditional notions of safety.
Lawmakers are addressing emerging risks associated with enhanced features such as connectivity and artificial intelligence, coupled with new selling models, most notably the rise in e-commerce. In turn, product liability rules are also undergoing reform to offer optimal consumer protection in the digital age. With regulators enhancing their enforcement powers, companies today face an era of heightened compliance complexity.
Additionally, product safety regulation reaches across all products from electrical electronic equipment, batteries, toys, medical devices, textiles to motor vehicles with each product type having its own specific concerns.
(Source: C2P by Compliance & Risks)
Figure 1 above shows a 79% increase in regulations for product safety since 2018, with 11,849 regulations in place by 2025 (and pending.)
Hot Topics in Product Safety
Listed below are the key regulations that will be impacting your business over the next 12-18 months:
Sustainable Products in the Limelight
The EU’s landmark Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is now in force with expanded sustainability considerations for a wider variety of products now a certainty.
This Regulation sets a new standard for product sustainability and is expected to have a lasting impact on the entire product design and manufacturing cycle.
The EU’s ESPR is likely to serve as a model for other regions, driving a global shift towards sustainable product design and a circular economy. Mandating products to be safe and sustainable by design and during their life cycle will also support the overarching objectives of product safety regulation.
(Source: C2P by Compliance & Risks)
Top Regulatory Trends in Product Safety
Listed below are the key regulations that will be impacting your business over the next 12-18 months:
- EU: General Product Safety, Regulation (EU) 2023/988
- EU: Liability for Defective Products, Directive (EU) 2024/2853
- EU: Single Market for Digital Services, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065
- EU: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2011/65/EU, Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (LVE), Directive 2014/35/EU and Others – Proposed Amendment – (on digitalization and common specifications) Draft Directive, May 2025
- UK: Making Use of Recognition of EU Requirements to Place Products on the GB Market, Guidance Document, February 2025
- UK: Product Regulation and Metrology Act, 2025
- UK: Using Harmonized Standards for Placing CE Marked Products in Great Britain, Guidance Document, February 2025
- USA: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), 2008, Certificate of Compliance – Issuing Entity and Electronic Filing, Rule, 16 CFR 1110 – Amendment – (on certificates of compliance, testing and labeling) Rule, 90 FR 1800, January 2025
- World: Principles for Consumer Product Safety, Draft Resolution, June 2025
Stay Up To Date With Global Regulatory Trends In Product Safety
Stay ahead of product safety in the digital age and understand the evolving cybersecurity landscape with our on-demand webinar and comprehensive guide.
Book Time With Our Team
Learn how C2P can help you stay ahead of global Product Safety regulatory changes and achieve uninterrupted market access.
