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Asbestos: Sales

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 1811

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress has been made on developing new requirements for online marketplaces under powers contained in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, including with regard to the sale of products containing asbestos.

Answered by Kate Dearden

UK law is clear that products must be safe, including those sold online. Despite this, we recognise that non-compliant products remain available to consumers.

On 31 March, the Government launched a major package of consultations on updating the product safety legislative framework. These include proposals for strong and clear duties on online marketplaces to be proactive in ensuring that the products and sellers on their sites are safe and abide by the law.

Following consultation, Government intends to bring forward legislation to implement these proposals using powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025.

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