Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - Lords Committee Stage update

In response to the Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Bill (a Private Members Bill which has not progressed passed its Second Reading), the Government introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to the House of Lords. This Government Bill aims to modernise UK safety regulations, covering a broad range of product risks, including those associated with lithium-ion batteries in products like e-bikes, e-scooters and toys. It seeks to enhance safety standards, address emerging risks like AI, and improve traceability through digital means, such as QR codes.

However, concerns remain about whether it sufficiently tackles specific issues around lithium-ion batteries, such as storage, disposal, and online sales. In this alert we take a deeper dive into comments made surrounding lithium-ion batteries during the Committee Stage in the House of Lords as well as the likely timeline for the bills progression through Parliament.

Key discussions at the Lords Committee Stage

During the Committee stage in November and December 2024, various issues were raised about lithium-ion batteries including:

• Lord Foster of Bath (Lib Dem) highlighted the lack of notification requirements for lithium-ion battery fires, stressing the burden placed on homeowners to inform emergency services. He called for more robust regulations, particularly for e-bikes and e-scooters, citing alarming increases in related fires (up 204% in two years). He proposed that these batteries be classified as high-risk and require third-party certification.
• Lord Leong (Labour) responded by supporting stronger safety measures but noted the bill’s role as a flexible framework, allowing for specific regulations based on risk assessment. He also emphasised that the government is working on research to better understand battery safety.
• Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) assured that the bill could address some safety concerns, though Lord Foster argued that the current safety measures were inadequate given the rise in incidents. He also mentioned that e-bike manufacturers were developing safety initiatives, but these were insufficient without regulatory backing.
• Baroness Brinton (Lib Dem) questioned the scope of the bill, which could apply to individuals selling lithium-ion products on platforms like eBay or Vinted. She argued that these sellers might not be equipped to meet regulatory requirements.

Likely timeline for bill's progression

The bill is progressing through Parliament, with key stages anticipated as follows:

• House of Lords Report Stage – January
• House of Lords Third Reading – January
• House of Commons First Reading – February
• House of Commons Second Reading – February/March
• House of Commons Committee Stage – March
• House of Commons Report Stage – March/April
• House of Commons Third Reading – March/April
• Ping Pong – April/May
• Royal Assent – Late April/May

Conclusion

The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill addresses critical safety issues, but there are concerns that it may not go far enough to address specific risks related to lithium-ion batteries, especially considering the increasing number of fire incidents. Key amendments, particularly regarding e-bikes and e-scooters, are being debated, and stakeholders are pushing for stronger safety standards. The bill's progress will continue into 2025, with potential for further amendments to address these concerns.

We have reached out to Lord Foster on this topic. If there are points related to this bill that you wish us to raise with parliamentarians, please do get in touch. 

We will continue to keep you updated as the bill progresses through Parliament.

Natalie Larnder 

Head of Market Affairs

nlarnder@keoghs.co.uk

Michael Harvey

Partner and Products SIG Lead

Property Risks and Coverage

mharvey@keoghs.co.uk